Lesson 15 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
0
Q

Antecedent

A

Preceding it cause

The argument between the two men was antecedent to the fight which follow.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

Abate

A

To reduce in intensity or amount

The flood waters abated after 40 days of rain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Arid

A

Very dry

The desert is an arid place.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Baneful

A

A source of harm or destruction; harmful; destructive

Overeating was the bane of her existence. The baneful herbs made the woman extremely ill.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Beleaguer

A

To harass

The scandal caused the president to be beleaguered by the press.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Contempt

A

Scorn, extreme dislike or disdain

The men treated the gossip woman with contempt; talking about other people was beneath his dignity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Cynical

A

Given to faultfinding, steering, and sarcasm; exhibiting mocking disbelief

Some people are so cynical sneer at everything they would make life worthwhile.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Dexterous

A

Skillful and active with the hands; Manually adroit and skillful

The machine shop advertised for a dexterous worker.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Dour

A

Sullen, stern harsh

His dour behavior was caused by rain washing out his golf game.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Exalt

A

To glorify, to praise, to raise in rank

The woman was exalted for her successes in the field of science

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Felicitous

A

Happy or delightful

Her marriage was a felicitous occasion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Impeccable

A

Free from fault or blame

She was a woman of impeccable character and could not be blamed for the smallest wrongdoing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Malleable

A

Capable of being shaped, influence, or alter; tractable

Gold is a malleable metal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Mortify

A

To humiliate, to wound pride, to experience shame

It would simply mortify me to have someone say such shameful things about my family.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Obdurate

A

Extremely stubborn, unwilling to accept advice

She was obdurate in her refusal to listen to our concerns about her cocaine problem.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Platitude

A

Trite remark, banal statement

That politician can spout platitudes, but he has never passed a bill that has a substance.

16
Q

Profligate

A

A wasteful person; extremely wasteful, given to the licentiousness

The profligate son wasted the family’s fortune on wine, woman, and song.

17
Q

Pugnacious

A

Looking for a fight, combative, belligerent

There are many pugnacious punks at the high school that bully other students.

18
Q

Savory

A

Appetizing

My mother is known for her savory meals.

19
Q

Spurn

A

To reject or to refuse with hostility

The woman had always viewed the man with disdain and would spurn his attempts at friendship forever.

20
Q

Supercilious

A

Haughty, vain and arrogant

I do not like your arrogant and supercilious attitude toward poor people.

21
Q

Trite

A

Overused, commonplace, hackneyed

This essay is full of trite phrases; it needs a fresh approach, avoiding phrases so hackneyed and overused.

22
Q

Vociferous

A

Clamorous; boisterous (suggests a vehement outcry)

The rock crowd became vociferous in it’s anger when it was announced that the show was canceled.

23
Q

Vulgarity

A

Something offensive to good taste and refinement

She chose to ignore the vulgarity of his crude remark.

24
Q

Imperturbable

A

Marked by extreme calm, in passivity, assurance and steadiness