L Flashcards
labile
adj. likely to change
Tom’s labile personality can make him difficult to get along with.
labyrinth
n. maze
The office building was like a labyrinth.
laceration
n. cut or wound
The child was treated for lacerations suffered in the accident.
lachrymose
adj. tearful, sad
The mood at the funeral was lachrymose.
lackadaisical
adj. idle, lazy; apathetic, indifferent
Stuart is a lackadaisical studnet.
lackluster
adj. lacking brightness or vitality
His performance this year has been lackluster.
laconic
adj. using few words
The laconic scientist was not an ideal guest on the talk show.
laissez-faire
adj. relating to a doctrine that opposes government interference in the economy; noninterference in the affairs of others
The principal asked the teacher to take a less laissez-faire approach to students.
Lamaism
n. Tibetan Buddhism
The term “Lamaism” probably derives from the Chinese “lama jiao” used to distinguish Tibetan Buddhism from Han Chinese Buddhism, “fo jiao.”
Lamarckism
n. a theory of biological evolution holding that acquired traits can be inherited
A form of Lamarckism was revived in the Soviet Union of the 1930s when Trofim Lysenko promoted Lysenkoism, which suited the ideological opposition of Joseph Stalin to genetics.
lambaste
v. to thrash verbally or physically\
The champion boxer lambasted his opponent.
lament
v. to grieve; express sorrow; regret deeply
The poem laments the death of the poet’s son.
lamentable
adj. distressing; deplorable
There has been a lamentable increase in air pollution.
lampoon
v. to attack with satire, mock harshly
The movie lampoons the country’s leaders.
languid
adj. lacking energy, indifferent, slow
Time moves at a languid pace at this tropical island resort.
languish
v. to become weak; to live in disheartening conditions; to be neglected
A small part of the population was left to languish in poverty.
languor
n. lassitude
They were overcome by weakness and languor during their stay in the tropics.
lapidary
adj. relating to precious stones
Mr. Saunders sells lapidary equipment to jewelers in the New York area.
larceny
n. theft of property
Bob was charged with larceny.
larder
n. place where food is stored
It’s a good idea to keep some canned food in the larder in case of emergency.
largess
n. generosity; gift
As a result of the billionaire’s largess, our town has a new public library.
larynx
n. organ containing vocal cords
The larynx plays a vital role in speech.
lascivious
adj. lustful
The movie appeals primarily to the lascivious impulses in people.
lassitude
n. lethargy, sluggishness
I’m often overcome by lassitude on Sunday afternoon.
latent
adj. present but hidden; potential
The program is designed to bring out the student’s latent talent.
laud
v. to praise
Julia’s mother lauded her daughter’s effort to improve her vocabulary.
laudable
adj. praiseworthy
The student made a laudable effort to improve his vocabulary.
lavish
adj. liberal; wasteful
The company president put a stop to lavish spending by his staff.
lax
adj. careless
Lax safety standards were partially to blame for the accident.
layman
n. a nonprofessional
The layman could not understand the technical language in the scientist’s paper.
leery
adj. suspicious
The child was taught to be leery of strangers.
legacy
n. a gift made by a will; something handed down
Tom’s watch is a legacy from his grandfather.
legerdemain
n. trickery
The magician’s legerdemain entertained the audience.
legible
adj. readable
Make sure your handwriting is legible.
legion
adj. constituting a large number
The number of atoms in the universe is legion.
legislate
v. to decree, mandate, make laws
The primary purpose of Congress is to legislate.
legislation
n. laws decrees, mandates
The legislation was passed unanimously.
legitimate
adj. in accordance with established standards; genuine; reasonable
The New York Jets have a legitimate change to win the Super Bowl this year.