Key terms Flashcards

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1
Q

aberrant

A

aberrant (adj.) deviating from the norm (noun form: aberration)

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2
Q

abscond

A

abscond (verb) to depart clandestinely; to steal off and hide

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3
Q

alacrity

A

alacrity (noun) eager and enthusiastic willingness

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4
Q

anomaly

A

anomaly (noun) deviation from the normal order, form, or rule; abnormality (adj. form: anomalous)

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5
Q

approbation

A

approbation (noun) an expression of approval or praise

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6
Q

arduous

A

arduous (adj.) strenuous, taxing; requiring significant effort

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7
Q

assuage

A

assuage (verb) to ease or lessen; to appease or pacify

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8
Q

audacious

A

audacious (adj.) daring and fearless; recklessly bold (noun form: audacity)

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9
Q

austere

A

austere (adj.) without adornment; bare; severely simple; ascetic (noun form: austerity)

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10
Q

axiomatic

A

axiomatic (adj.) taken as a given; possessing self-evident truth (noun form: axiom)

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11
Q

canonical

A

canonical (adj.) following or in agreement with accepted, traditional standards (noun form: canon)

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12
Q

capricious

A

capricious (adj.) inclined to change one’s mind impulsively; erratic, unpredictable

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13
Q

censure

A

censure (verb) to criticize severely; to officially rebuke

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14
Q

chicanery

A

chicanery (noun) trickery or subterfuge

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15
Q

connoisseur

A

connoisseur (noun) an informed and astute judge in matters of taste; expert

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16
Q

convoluted

A

convoluted (adj.) complex or complicated

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17
Q

disabuse

A

disabuse (verb) to undeceive; to set right

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18
Q

discordant

A

discordant (adj.) conflicting; dissonant or harsh in sound

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19
Q

disparate

A

disparate (adj.) fundamentally distinct or dissimilar

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20
Q

effrontery

A

effrontery (noun) extreme boldness; presumptuousness

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21
Q

eloquent

A

eloquent (adj.) well-spoken, expressive, articulate (noun form: eloquence)

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22
Q

enervate

A

enervate (verb) to weaken; to reduce in vitality

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23
Q

ennui

A

ennui (noun) dissatisfaction and restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy

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24
Q

equivocate

A

equivocate (verb) to use ambiguous language with a deceptive intent (adj. form: equivocal)

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25
Q

erudite

A

erudite (adj.) very learned; scholarly (noun form: erudition)

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26
Q

exculpate

A

exculpate (verb) to exonerate; to clear of blame

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27
Q

exigent

A

exigent (adj.) urgent, pressing; requiring immediate action or attention

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28
Q

extemporaneous

A

extemporaneous (adj.) improvised; done without preparation

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29
Q

filibuster

A

filibuster (noun) intentional obstruction, especially using prolonged speechmaking to delay legislative action

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30
Q

fulminate

A

fulminate (verb) to loudly attack or denounce

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31
Q

ingenuous

A

ingenuous (adj.) artless; frank and candid; lacking in sophistication

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32
Q

inured

A

inured (adj.) accustomed to accepting something undesirable

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33
Q

irascible

A

irascible (adj.) easily angered; prone to temperamental outbursts

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34
Q

laud

A

laud (verb) to praise highly (adj. form: laudatory)

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35
Q

lucid

A

lucid (adj.) clear; easily understood

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36
Q

magnanimity

A

magnanimity (noun) the quality of being generously noble in mind and heart, especially in forgiving (adj. form: magnanimous)

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37
Q

martial

A

martial (adj.) associated with war and the armed forces

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38
Q

mundane

A

mundane (adj.) of the world; typical of or concerned with the ordinary

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39
Q

nascent

A

nascent (adj.) coming into being; in early developmental stages

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40
Q

nebulous

A

nebulous (adj.) vague; cloudy; lacking clearly defined form

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41
Q

neologism

A

neologism (noun) a new word, expression, or usage; the creation or use of new words or senses

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42
Q

noxious

A

noxious (adj.) harmful, injurious

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43
Q

obtuse

A

obtuse (adj.) lacking sharpness of intellect; not clear or precise in thought or expression

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44
Q

obviate

A

obviate (verb) to anticipate and make unnecessary

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45
Q

onerous

A

onerous (adj.) troubling; burdensome

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46
Q

paean

A

paean (noun) a song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving

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47
Q

parody

A

parody (noun) a humorous imitation intended for ridicule or comic effect, especially in literature and art

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48
Q

perennial

A

perennial (adj.) recurrent through the year or many years; happening repeatedly

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49
Q

perfidy

A

perfidy (noun) intentional breach of faith; treachery (adj. form: perfidious)

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50
Q

perfunctory

A

perfunctory (adj.) cursory; done without care or interest

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51
Q

perspicacious

A

perspicacious (adj.) acutely perceptive; having keen discernment (noun form: perspicacity)

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52
Q

prattle

A

prattle (verb) to babble meaninglessly; to talk in an empty and idle manner

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53
Q

precipitate

A

precipitate (adj.) acting with excessive haste or impulse

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54
Q

precipitate

A

precipitate (verb) to cause or happen before anticipated or required

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55
Q

predilection

A

predilection (noun) a disposition in favor of something; preference

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56
Q

prescience

A

prescience (noun) foreknowledge of events; knowing of events prior to their occurring (adj. form: prescient)

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57
Q

prevaricate

A

prevaricate (verb) to deliberately avoid the truth; to mislead

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58
Q

qualms

A

qualms (noun) misgivings; reservations; causes for hesitancy

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59
Q

recant

A

recant (verb) to retract, especially a previously held belief

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60
Q

refute

A

refute (verb) to disprove; to successfully argue against

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61
Q

relegate

A

relegate (verb) to forcibly assign, especially to a lower place or position

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62
Q

reticent

A

reticent (adj.) quiet; reserved; reluctant to express thoughts and feelings

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63
Q

solicitous

A

solicitous (adj.) concerned and attentive; eager

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64
Q

sordid

A

sordid (adj.) characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul

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65
Q

sporadic

A

sporadic (adj.) occurring only occasionally, or in scattered instances

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66
Q

squander

A

squander (verb) to waste by spending or using irresponsibly

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67
Q

static

A

static (adj.) not moving, active, or in motion; at rest

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68
Q

stupefy

A

stupefy (verb) to stun, baffle, or amaze

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69
Q

stymie

A

stymie (verb) to block; to thwart

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70
Q

synthesis

A

synthesis (noun) the combination of parts to make a whole (verb form: synthesize)

71
Q

torque

A

torque (noun) a force that causes rotation

72
Q

tortuous

A

tortuous (adj.) winding, twisting; excessively complicated

73
Q

truculent

A

truculent (adj.) fierce and cruel; eager to fight

74
Q

veracity

A

veracity (noun) truthfulness, honesty

75
Q

virulent

A

virulent (adj.) extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic

76
Q

voracious

A

voracious (adj.) having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; ravenous

77
Q

waver

A

waver (verb) to move to and fro; to sway; to be unsettled in opinion

78
Q

reticent

A

reticent (adj.) quiet; reserved; reluctant to express thoughts and feelings

79
Q

solicitous

A

solicitous (adj.) concerned and attentive; eager

80
Q

sordid

A

sordid (adj.) characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul

81
Q

sporadic

A

sporadic (adj.) occurring only occasionally, or in scattered instances

82
Q

squander

A

squander (verb) to waste by spending or using irresponsibly

83
Q

static

A

static (adj.) not moving, active, or in motion; at rest

84
Q

stupefy

A

stupefy (verb) to stun, baffle, or amaze

85
Q

stymie

A

stymie (verb) to block; to thwart

86
Q

synthesis

A

synthesis (noun) the combination of parts to make a whole (verb form: synthesize)

87
Q

torque

A

torque (noun) a force that causes rotation

88
Q

tortuous

A

tortuous (adj.) winding, twisting; excessively complicated

89
Q

truculent

A

truculent (adj.) fierce and cruel; eager to fight

90
Q

veracity

A

veracity (noun) truthfulness, honesty

91
Q

virulent

A

virulent (adj.) extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic

92
Q

voracious

A

voracious (adj.) having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; ravenous

93
Q

waver

A

waver (verb) to move to and fro; to sway; to be unsettled in opinion

94
Q

reticent

A

reticent (adj.) quiet; reserved; reluctant to express thoughts and feelings

95
Q

solicitous

A

solicitous (adj.) concerned and attentive; eager

96
Q

sordid

A

sordid (adj.) characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul

97
Q

sporadic

A

sporadic (adj.) occurring only occasionally, or in scattered instances

98
Q

squander

A

squander (verb) to waste by spending or using irresponsibly

99
Q

static

A

static (adj.) not moving, active, or in motion; at rest

100
Q

stupefy

A

stupefy (verb) to stun, baffle, or amaze

101
Q

stymie

A

stymie (verb) to block; to thwart

102
Q

synthesis

A

synthesis (noun) the combination of parts to make a whole (verb form: synthesize)

103
Q

torque

A

torque (noun) a force that causes rotation

104
Q

tortuous

A

tortuous (adj.) winding, twisting; excessively complicated

105
Q

truculent

A

truculent (adj.) fierce and cruel; eager to fight

106
Q

veracity

A

veracity (noun) truthfulness, honesty

107
Q

virulent

A

virulent (adj.) extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic

108
Q

voracious

A

voracious (adj.) having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; ravenous

109
Q

waver

A

waver (verb) to move to and fro; to sway; to be unsettled in opinion

110
Q

reticent

A

reticent (adj.) quiet; reserved; reluctant to express thoughts and feelings

111
Q

solicitous

A

solicitous (adj.) concerned and attentive; eager

112
Q

sordid

A

sordid (adj.) characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul

113
Q

sporadic

A

sporadic (adj.) occurring only occasionally, or in scattered instances

114
Q

squander

A

squander (verb) to waste by spending or using irresponsibly

115
Q

static

A

static (adj.) not moving, active, or in motion; at rest

116
Q

stupefy

A

stupefy (verb) to stun, baffle, or amaze

117
Q

stymie

A

stymie (verb) to block; to thwart

118
Q

synthesis

A

synthesis (noun) the combination of parts to make a whole (verb form: synthesize)

119
Q

torque

A

torque (noun) a force that causes rotation

120
Q

tortuous

A

tortuous (adj.) winding, twisting; excessively complicated

121
Q

truculent

A

truculent (adj.) fierce and cruel; eager to fight

122
Q

veracity

A

veracity (noun) truthfulness, honesty

123
Q

virulent

A

virulent (adj.) extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic

124
Q

voracious

A

voracious (adj.) having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; ravenous

125
Q

waver

A

waver (verb) to move to and fro; to sway; to be unsettled in opinion

126
Q

reticent

A

reticent (adj.) quiet; reserved; reluctant to express thoughts and feelings

127
Q

solicitous

A

solicitous (adj.) concerned and attentive; eager

128
Q

sordid

A

sordid (adj.) characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul

129
Q

sporadic

A

sporadic (adj.) occurring only occasionally, or in scattered instances

130
Q

squander

A

squander (verb) to waste by spending or using irresponsibly

131
Q

static

A

static (adj.) not moving, active, or in motion; at rest

132
Q

stupefy

A

stupefy (verb) to stun, baffle, or amaze

133
Q

stymie

A

stymie (verb) to block; to thwart

134
Q

synthesis

A

synthesis (noun) the combination of parts to make a whole (verb form: synthesize)

135
Q

torque

A

torque (noun) a force that causes rotation

136
Q

tortuous

A

tortuous (adj.) winding, twisting; excessively complicated

137
Q

truculent

A

truculent (adj.) fierce and cruel; eager to fight

138
Q

veracity

A

veracity (noun) truthfulness, honesty

139
Q

virulent

A

virulent (adj.) extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic

140
Q

voracious

A

voracious (adj.) having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; ravenous

141
Q

waver

A

waver (verb) to move to and fro; to sway; to be unsettled in opinion

142
Q

reticent

A

reticent (adj.) quiet; reserved; reluctant to express thoughts and feelings

143
Q

solicitous

A

solicitous (adj.) concerned and attentive; eager

144
Q

sordid

A

sordid (adj.) characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul

145
Q

sporadic

A

sporadic (adj.) occurring only occasionally, or in scattered instances

146
Q

squander

A

squander (verb) to waste by spending or using irresponsibly

147
Q

static

A

static (adj.) not moving, active, or in motion; at rest

148
Q

stupefy

A

stupefy (verb) to stun, baffle, or amaze

149
Q

stymie

A

stymie (verb) to block; to thwart

150
Q

synthesis

A

synthesis (noun) the combination of parts to make a whole (verb form: synthesize)

151
Q

torque

A

torque (noun) a force that causes rotation

152
Q

tortuous

A

tortuous (adj.) winding, twisting; excessively complicated

153
Q

truculent

A

truculent (adj.) fierce and cruel; eager to fight

154
Q

veracity

A

veracity (noun) truthfulness, honesty

155
Q

virulent

A

virulent (adj.) extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic

156
Q

voracious

A

voracious (adj.) having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; ravenous

157
Q

waver

A

waver (verb) to move to and fro; to sway; to be unsettled in opinion

158
Q

reticent

A

reticent (adj.) quiet; reserved; reluctant to express thoughts and feelings

159
Q

solicitous

A

solicitous (adj.) concerned and attentive; eager

160
Q

sordid

A

sordid (adj.) characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul

161
Q

sporadic

A

sporadic (adj.) occurring only occasionally, or in scattered instances

162
Q

squander

A

squander (verb) to waste by spending or using irresponsibly

163
Q

static

A

static (adj.) not moving, active, or in motion; at rest

164
Q

stupefy

A

stupefy (verb) to stun, baffle, or amaze

165
Q

stymie

A

stymie (verb) to block; to thwart

166
Q

synthesis

A

synthesis (noun) the combination of parts to make a whole (verb form: synthesize)

167
Q

torque

A

torque (noun) a force that causes rotation

168
Q

tortuous

A

tortuous (adj.) winding, twisting; excessively complicated

169
Q

truculent

A

truculent (adj.) fierce and cruel; eager to fight

170
Q

veracity

A

veracity (noun) truthfulness, honesty

171
Q

virulent

A

virulent (adj.) extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic

172
Q

voracious

A

voracious (adj.) having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; ravenous

173
Q

waver

A

waver (verb) to move to and fro; to sway; to be unsettled in opinion