Kaplan I Flashcards
1
Q
Elucidation
A
To make clear: clarification
“work that led to the elucidation of the protein structure”
2
Q
Sinecure
A
Work that does not require work but gives financial benefit - “cushy job”
3
Q
Confounding (2)
A
(1) Cause surprise or confusion, act against expectations
“the inflation figure confounded previous analysts”
(2) Mix up original things so different elements become indistinguishable
“microwaves confound nuclear radiation with microwave radiation”
4
Q
Finesse
A
Intricate, fine, delicacy, to do something in a delicate manner
“the shot, which he attempted to finesse, failed”
5
Q
Kismet
A
Destiny, fate, luck
“what chance did I stand against kismet”
6
Q
Imbroglio
A
Extremely confused, embarrassing situation
“the Watergate imbroglio”
7
Q
Bemuse
A
Puzzle, confuse, bewilder
“her bemused look”
8
Q
Incorrigible
A
Person not able to be corrected, improved or reformed
“she is an incorrigible flirt”
9
Q
Malevolent
A
Evil
“the glint of dark, malevolent eyes”
10
Q
Revile
A
To insult, speak critical of, or harshly towards
“he was reviled at the party”
11
Q
Indelible
A
Unable to remove, can’t be forgotten
“the story made an indelible impression on me”
12
Q
Florid (2)
A
(1) Red, flushed complexion
“the florid music was beautiful”
(2) Intricate, complicated
“a florid face”
13
Q
Felicitous
A
Well chosen, suited to the circumstances, pleasing, fortunate
“a felicitous speech”
“the view was the only felicitous thing about the room”
14
Q
Stentorian
A
Loud and powerful voice, thundering
“they introduced me to the staff with a stentorian announcement”
15
Q
Garrulous
A
Excessively talkative, particularly about trivial things
“he is portrayed as a foolish, garrulous old man”
16
Q
Vociferous
A
Forceful, passionate intense voice
“he was a vociferous opponent of the merger”
17
Q
Imbibe (2)
A
(1) Drink
“they imbibed too much beer”
(2) Absorbed knowledge
“she imbibed the Gospel”
18
Q
Trepidation
A
Fear, agitation
“the man set off in fear and trepidation”
19
Q
Imperturbation
A
Relaxation, calm
20
Q
Diffident
A
Modest, shy, lack of self-confidence
“the diffident youth hated speaking up”
21
Q
Unequivocal
A
Leaving no doubt, completely clear
“the unequivocal answer”
22
Q
Burgeoning
A
Grow, flourish
“the capitalized on the burgeoning demand”
23
Q
Verbose
A
More words than needed
“academic language is verbose and unneeded”
24
Q
Languid
A
Slow, relaxed, sickly
“turned in slow, languid movements”
“she was pale and languid from being sick”
25
Forlorn
Pitifully sad or lonely
| “Aragorn was forlorn”
26
Brazen
Bold and without shame
| “he was being mean with brazen assurance”
27
Fetid
Smelling extremely unpleasant
| “the fetid water of the marsh
28
Fervid
Passionate, especially to an excessive degree
| “the fervid thank you letter”
29
Inert
Lacking strength or ability to move
| “she lay inert in bed”
30
Equivocal
One to more than one interpretation, ambiguous
| “the equivocal nature of her remarks”
31
Fastidiously
Meticulously, very careful
| “took notes fastidiously”
32
Dilatorily
Procrastinate, slow, cause delay
33
Cashe
To hide, store away
34
Clement
Merciful, mild
| “The king was clement”
35
Implacable
Unable to be placated, relentless, unstoppable
| “The king’s daughter was implacable”
36
Filial
Of or due from a son or daughter, generational
| “a display of filial affection from the dad to his daughter”
37
Reprisal
Act of retaliation
| “The queen sought reprisal for acts done against her”
38
Approbation
Approval or praise
| “The singer was met with much approbation”
39
Decorum
Behavior in keeping with good taste or propriety, etiquette
| “you exhibit remarkable modest and decorum”
40
Belied/belies
Fail to give a true impression, contradict
| “the philosopher belied himself as a reclusive scholar”
41
Gregarious
Sociable, fond of company
| “Greg is very gregarious”
42
Sybaritic
Fond of sensual luxury, indulgent
| “his sybaritic lifestyle”
43
Specious
Superficially plausible, but not true
| “the specious argument”
44
Eclectic
Diverse, diverse knowledge
| “her musical tastes are eclectic”
45
Esoteric
Hard to understand, for people with selective knowledge
| “the esoteric philosophical arguments”
46
Lucid
Expressed clearly, easy to understand, clear
| “the lucid argument”
47
Obviate
Remove, make unnecessary
| “the blinds obviate the need for curtains”
48
Vacillated
Between different opinions or actions, indecisive
| “I had for a time vacillated between journalism and teaching”
49
Languish
Appear weak or feeble
| “plants may appear to be languishing but are just dormant”
50
Profusion
Abundance
| “a profusion of flowers”
51
Hodgepodge
A confused mixture
| “the room was a hodgepodge of modern and classic furniture”
52
Remonstrative
Objection or disapproval
| “he turned angrily to remonstrate Tommy”
53
Innocuous
Not harmful or offensive
| “it was an innocuous question”
54
Deleterious
Causing harm or damage
| “divorce is known to be deleterious towards children”
55
Fidelity (2)
(1) Loyalty
“fidelity in marriage”
(2) Accuracy in details
“he sought only the strictest fidelity to justice”
56
Deft
Skillful, clever
| "a deft piece of footwork"
57
Mercurial
Lively, unpredictable, unpredictable changes in mood
| “a mercurial temperament”
58
Obfuscate
Make unclear, obscure or unintelligible
| “Nobel obfuscated his activity with the military”
59
Lackadaisical
Lacking determination or enthusiasm
| “the team lost because of a lackadaisical defense”
60
Decorous
In keeping with good taste, polite or restrained
| “in dancing with decorous space between each partner”
61
Punctilious
Great attention to detail or correct behavior
| “he was punctilious in providing goods to his guests”
62
Hyperboles
Exaggerated statements not to be take literally, describing something as better or worse than it actually is
63
Similes
Similes
Literary comparisons
“brave like a lion”
“crazy as a fox”
64
Portents
Forewarnings of something bad
| “the dead birds were a portents of disease”
65
Auguries
Omens, signs of future events
| “the sounds were an augury of death”
66
Anachronisms
Out of chronological order
| “the electric clock was the only anachronism in the ancient room”
67
Inundate
Flood, overwhelm someone with things
| “he often inundates his girlfriend”
68
Propitiate
Win or regain favor by doing something they appreciate
| “they tried to propitiate the gods with sacrifices”
69
Carousing
Drinking a lot of alcohol
| “the danced and caroused until the drink ran out”
70
Venerable
Worthy of dignity
| “a venerable old man”
71
Bacchanalian
Boisterously festive, riotously drunken
| “the bacchanalian orgy”
72
Benign
Gently, kindly, not harmful
“the benign old lady”
“the benign tumor”
73
Diurnal
Active during the day, daily, each day
| “diurnal rhythms”
74
Gossamer
Lite, thin or delicate
| "the gossamer spider web"
75
Adamantine
Unbreakable
| “adamantine chains"
76
Frangile
Fragile, brittle
77
Tensile
Related to tension, able to be stretched
78
Attenuated
Reduced in strength, unnaturally thin
| “she was a attenuated figure”
79
Capitulation
Surrendering or yielding to
| “a sign of capitulation”
80
Pliable (2)
(1) Easily bent, flexible
“the wood is pliable”
(2) Easily influenced
“she is pliable”
81
Quintessence
Perfect embodiment of
| “she is the quintessence of beauty”
82
Zenith
The highest point of
| “the sun had reached the zenith”
83
Ineluctable
Unable to be resisted or avoided, inescapable
| “the ineluctable facts of history”
84
Ingenuous
Honest, straightforward, innocent, trusting
85
Inveighed
Speak or write strongly against
| “they inveighed who worked with the enemy”
86
Levied
Impose tax, fine, fee or enlist in the military
| “the new tax was levied on the industry”
87
Extolled
Praise enthusiastically
| “he extolled the virtues of the people”
88
Soporific
Causing sleepiness or drowsiness
| “the motion of the train had a soporific effect”
89
Assiduity
Constant effort or close attention
| “the assiduity with which he could where down his opponents”
90
Apocryphal
Doubtful authenticity but circulated as being true
| “the apocryphal story about the president”
91
Quiescence
A ceased state of activity, causing no symptoms or trouble
92
Joviality
State of being merry
93
Denouement
Resolution of a plot of play, movie or story
| “I waited twenty minutes to see the denouement”
94
Arcane
Understood by few, mysterious or secret
| “the arcane math notions”
95
Modish
Conforming to popularity, fashion
| “the philosopher was compelled to use the modish jargon”
96
Ennui
Boredom from lack of excitement or engagement
97
Peripatetic
Traveling from place to place
| “the peripatetic nature of military life”
98
Refractory
Stubborn or unmanageable
| “the refractory mule”
99
Philistine
Hostile or indifferent to arts and culture
| “I am a complete philistine when it comes to paintings”
100
Acrimony
Bitterness or ill feelings
| “a quagmire of lawsuits, acrimony and finger-pointing”
101
Forbearance
Patience, self-restraint
| “forbearance from taking action”
102
Jovial
Cheerfully, friendly
| “she was in a jovial mood”
103
Lugubrious
Looking or sounding sad or dismal
104
Somber
Gloomy, dark
| “it is a somber reality”
105
Superfluous
Unnecessary, more than enough
| “avoid asking superfluous information”
106
Postliminary
After, later
107
Ineffable
To great or extreme to be described in words
| “the ineffable truth”
108
Supervening
Occurring later, especially in a way that changes the situation
“any plan made is vulnerable to supervening events”
109
Exorbitant
```
Unreasonably high (especially in monetary terms)
“the exorbitant price of the tickets”
```
110
Cacophony
A harsh mixture of sounds
| “a cacophony of alarm bells”
111
Gratuitous
Uncalled for, lacking good reason
| “gratuitous violence”
112
histrionic
"a penchant for dish throwing, door slamming, and other histrionic displays of temper"
too emotional or dramatic, relating to acting or actors
113
augment/augmenting
"Heavy rains augmented the water supply."
| to increase the size or amount of (something): to add something to (something) in order to improve or complete it
114
panned
"The band's new album was universally panned by critics, with many deriding their change to a simpler sound"
to criticize severely
115
deriding/deride
"The band's new album was universally panned by critics, with many deriding their change to a simpler sound"
to talk or write about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way: to say that (someone or something) is ridiculous or has no value
116
inimical
"received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support"
likely to cause damage or have a bad effect: not friendly
117
abstruse
"you're not the only one who finds Einstein's theory of relativity abstruse"
hard to understand
118
incinerated/incinerate
```
"The waste is incinerated in a large furnace."
to burn (something) completely
```
119
scanty
"very small in size or amount"
| the camera's scanty instructions left me somewhat confused
120
robust
"He is in robust health."
| strong and healthy: strongly formed or built: successful or impressive and not likely to fail or weaken
121
singular
(1) of or relating to a separate person or thing : individual
(2) distinguished by superiority : exceptional
(4) : departing from general usage or expectation : peculiar, odd
122
spurned
"to refuse to accept (someone or something that you do not think deserves your respect, attention, affection, etc.)"
fiercely independent, the elderly couple spurned all offers of financial help
123
reticent (2)
(1) "her husband is by nature a reticent person, and she resigned herself to that fact long ago"
inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech : reserved
(2) "the room has an aspect of reticent dignity — A. N. Whitehead"
restrained in expression, presentation, or appearance
124
congenial
"The town is a congenial place for raising children" "We studied in the congenial atmosphere of the library."
suitable or appropriate: pleasant and enjoyable: very friendly
125
brusque
"She asked for a cup of coffee and received a brusque reply: “We don't have any.”"
talking or behaving in a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way
126
scurrilous (2)
```
1
a : using or given to coarse language
b : vulgar and evil
2
: containing obscenities, abuse, or slander
```
127
shrewd
"a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal"
having or showing an ability to understand things and to make good judgments : mentally sharp or clever
128
chagrin
"Much to his chagrin, he was forced to acknowledge the flaw in his reasoning; he responded gracefully, however, and soon returned with a new defense of his argument"
a feeling of being frustrated or annoyed because of failure or disappointment; embarrassed by failure
129
befuddlement
"most of the applicants were befuddled by the wording of one of the questions on the driving test"
to muddle or stupefy, confuse, perplex
130
sardonic
"Given the gravity of the situation, Terrence's sardonic quips were inappropriate; he did not seem to realize it was not the time or place for sarcasm"
disdainfully or skeptically humorous : derisively mocking, sarcastic
131
malfeasance
"a campaign to impeach the governor for malfeasance in office"
wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public official
132
supercilious
"the supercilious art dealer rolled her eyes when we asked if she had anything for under $1,000"
having or showing the proud and unpleasant attitude of people who think that they are better or more important than other people
133
ribald
"a ribald tale rife with double entendres and racy innuendo"
| crude, offensive : characterized by or using coarse indecent humor
134
imprudent
"While mushrooms are popular in many cuisines, it is imprudent to eat those found in the wild since many are poisonous"
not prudent: lacking discretion, wisdom, or good judgment
135
mellifluous
"known to all as having a silver tongue, the orator easily distracts audiences from the meaning of his words with his mellifluous" speech
having a smooth, flowing sound
136
euphonic
"known to all as having a silver tongue, the orator easily distracts audiences from the meaning of his words with his euphonic speech"
pleasing or sweet sound; especially: the acoustic effect produced by words so formed or combined as to please the ear
137
snubbed
```
"He snubbed their job offer."
to ignore (someone) in a deliberate and insulting way: to not accept or attend (something) as a way to show disapproval
```
138
toothsome (2)
(1) a : agreeable, attractive
b : sexually attractive
(2) of palatable flavor and pleasing texture : delicious
139
ignominious
"some of his friends considered the job of janitor to be an ignominious fate for the laid-off executive"
causing disgrace or sham
140
acridity/acrid (2)
(1) "Thick, acrid smoke rose from the factory."
sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor: irritating
(2) "there have been acrid relations between the two families ever since they fought over that strip of land"
deeply or violently bitter: acrimonious
141
trenchancy/trenchant
"even the most trenchant sword could not sever the bonds of loyalty between them"
very strong, clear, and effective
142
dexterity
"He's a teacher known for his imagination and verbal dexterity."
mental skill or quickness: adroitness: readiness and grace in physical activity; especially : skill and ease in using the hands
143
laconic
"the sportscaster's color commentary tends to be laconic but very much to the point"
using or involving the use of a minimum of words : concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
144
detritus
"Though detritus filled the streets, people seemed unconcerned with the appearance of their city"
the pieces that are left when something breaks, falls apart, is destroyed, etc.
145
refuse
""Though refuse filled the streets, people seemed unconcerned with the appearance of their city"
the worthless or useless part of something: leavings: trash, garbage
146
strident (2)
(1) sounding harsh and unpleasant
"strident tone in his voice"
(2) expressing opinions or criticism in a very forceful and often annoying or unpleasant way
"strident slogans"
147
circuitous
"Their logic seems a bit circuitous."
| not straight, short, and direct: not said or done simply or clearly
148
extirpate
to destroy or remove (something) completely
| "the triumph of modern medicine in extirpating certain diseases"
149
recondite
not understood or known by many people
| "geochemistry is a recondite subject"
150
momentous
very important : having great or lasting importance
| "a momentous occasion that will go down in the history books"
151
gaudiness
"the gaudy dresses of the show girls"
| too bright and heavily decorated: very large or impressive
152
bedlam
"The park had never had so many visitors at one time. It was total bedlam."
a very noisy and confused state or scene
153
waggish
"G.K. Chesterton's wit is exemplified in his often waggish responses to his friend and rival George Bernard Shaw"
silly and playful
154
precarious
(1) "He earned a precarious livelihood by gambling"
not safe
(2) strong, steady
155
mien
"Despite a long career at a famous establishment, the noted croupier chose instead to join the new casino, where he felt he was properly appreciated for his professional mien and efficiency at the table"
a person's appearance or facial expression
156
convalescing
"while he was still convalescing, the doctors advised Phillip to remain home, lest he was contagious, even though his symptoms had receded"
to become healthy and strong again slowly over time after illness, weakness, or injury
157
enfeebled
"long periods of being confined to a hospital bed will enfeeble anyone"
to make feeble : deprive of strength
