L Words Flashcards
lachrymose (adj)
full of tears
On his deathbed, Jean Valjean tells Cosette and Marius not to weep for him; he wants them to be happy, not lachrymose.
laconic (adj)
brief and to the point; using few words
The classic cowboy hero is a laconic figure, someone generally described as the strong, silent type.
lassitude (n)
lack of energy
After a massage and a long soak in the hot tub, I surrendered to my growing lassitude and lay down for a nap.
latent (adj)
potential but undeveloped
Polaroid pictures were popular in their time because people enjoyed the novelty of watching the latent photographic image gradually appear on what had seemed a blank sheet of paper.
laud (v)
give praise to
World leaders lauded the heroic efforts of the rescue workers after the Haitian earthquake.
lethargic (adj)
lacking energy
In class, Laura tried to stay alert and listen to the professor, but the stuffy room made her lethargic; she felt as if she was about to nod off.
levity (n)
lack of proper seriousness
Stop giggling and wriggling around in the pew; such levity is improper in church.
libertine (n/adj)
debauched and dissolute person
Although Anna was aware of Don Juan’s reputation as a libertine, she foolishly thought she could reform him and help him abandon his dissolute way of life.
limn (v)
outline with clear, sharp details
Paradoxically, the more realistic the details this artist chooses, the better able she is to limn her fantastic, other-worldly landscapes.
listless (adj)
lacking in spirit or energy
We had expected the young puppy to be lively and playful, and so his drooping head and listless manner had us worried.
loquacious (adj)
inclined to talk excessively
Though our daughter barely says a word to us these days, put a cell phone in her hand and you’ll see how loquacious she can be: our phone bills are out of sight!
lumber (v)
move heavily
Bulky and massive, the overloaded garbage truck lumbered down the narrow street.
luminous (adj)
issuing light
In the pitch-dark bedroom, all we could see was the luminous dial of the alarm clock.
