Legends & Lattes Flashcards
Edifice
noun FORMAL
1. a large, imposing building.
2. a complex system of beliefs.
“the concepts on which the edifice of capitalism was built”
Rejoinder
noun
1. a reply, especially a sharp or witty one.
“she would have made some cutting rejoinder but none came to mind”
DATED•LAW
2. a defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s reply or replication.
Dirk
noun
a short dagger of a kind formerly carried by Scottish Highlanders.
Abscond
verb
1. leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest.
“the barman absconded with a week’s takings”
2. (of a person on bail) fail to surrender oneself for custody at the appointed time.
“charges of absconding while on bail”
3. (of a colony of honeybees, especially Africanized ones) entirely abandon a hive or nest.
Foist
verb
impose an unwelcome or unnecessary person or thing on.
“she had no desire to have an elderly relative foisted on her”
Moulder
verb
slowly decay or disintegrate, especially because of neglect.
“the books, if any are ever printed, will moulder in the warehouse”
Untenable
adjective
(especially of a position or view) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.
“this argument is clearly untenable”
Expletive
noun
1. an oath or swear word.
“he was greeted by a stream of expletives”
GRAMMAR
2. a word or phrase used to fill out a sentence or a line of verse without adding to the sense.
adjective GRAMMAR
(of a word or phrase) serving to fill out a sentence or line of verse.
Aggrieved
adjective
feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated.
“they were aggrieved at the outcome”
Steeple
noun
a church tower and spire.
verb
place (the fingers or hands) together so that they form an upward-pointing V-shape.
Commensurate
adjective
corresponding in size or degree; in proportion.
“salary will be commensurate with age and experience”
Riposte
noun
1. a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.
2. a quick return thrust in fencing.
verb
*$1. make a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.**
“‘You’ve got a strange sense of honour,’ Grant riposted”
2. make a quick return thrust in fencing.
Languorous
adjective
1. characterized by tiredness or inactivity, especially of a pleasurable kind.
“summer has a slow, languorous feel to it here”
2. characterized by an oppressive stillness.
“the atmosphere is languorous and sultry”
Percolate
verb
1. (of a liquid or gas) filter gradually through a porous surface or substance.
“the water percolating through the soil may leach out minerals”
2. (of coffee) be prepared in a percolator.
“he put some coffee on to percolate”
Eminently
adverb
to a notable degree; very.
“an eminently readable textbook”
Garland
noun
1. a wreath of flowers and leaves, worn on the head or hung as a decoration.
DATED
2. a prize or distinction.
verb
decorate with a garland.
“they were garlanded with flowers”
Predilection
noun
a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favour of something.
“my predilection for Asian food”
Taper
verb
diminish or reduce in thickness towards one end.
“the tail tapers to a rounded tip”
noun
1. a slender candle.
“he lit the tapers in the silver candelabra”
2. a gradual narrowing.
“the strong taper of her back”
Lambent
adjective LITERARY
(of light or fire) glowing, gleaming, or flickering with a soft radiance.
“the magical, lambent light of the north”
Mullioned
adjective
(of a window) having one or more solid vertical pieces of stone, wood or metal between different parts of the window.
Genially
adverb
in a pleasantly cheerful or cordial way.
“as the dishes were passed around, we quibbled genially over whether to use two tortillas or one per taco”
Gunwale
noun
the upper edge or planking of the side of a boat or ship.
Hardtack
noun
hard dry bread or biscuit, especially as rations for sailors or soldiers.
