Lesson 4 Flashcards
ambiguous
adj. of unclear meaning; something that can be understood in more than one way syn. vague adv. ambiguously n. ambiguity
The men received an ambiguous message from their boss.
Her letter was full of ambiguities.
(ambíguo)
arbitrary
adj. an action or decision made with little thought, order, or reason
syn. haphazard
adv. arbitrarily
n. arbitrariness
Her choice of clothing seemed arbitrary. The teacher arbitrarily decided to give the class a test.
(arbitrário)
assert
v. to express or defend oneself strongly; to state positively
syn. declare
adv. assertively
n. assertiveness
n. assertion
adj. assertive
The government asserted its control over the banking system.
The company president is an assertive individual.
(afirmar, impor)
astounding
adj. very surprising
syn. astonishing
v. astound
adv. astoundingly
The scientists made an astounding discovery.
The fans were astounded by their team’s success.
(surpreendente, impressionante)
astute
adj. very intelligent, smart, clever
syn. perceptive
adj. astutely
n. astuteness
He was an astute worker, finishing in half the time it took the others
to finish.
They astutely determined that there would be no chance to finish on time.
(astuto, inteligente, esperto)
concur
v. to have the same opinion or draw the same conclusion
syn. agree
n. concurrence
The director concurred with the conclusions of the committee’s report.
Do you concur with the details of the business plan?
(coincidir, concordar)
deceptively
adv. making something appear true or good when it is false or bad
syn. misleadingly
adj. deceptive
v. deceive
n. deception
The magician deceptively made the rabbit disappear.
Richard deceived Joe about the cost of the coat.
(enganosamente)
designate
v. to specify, name, or select to do a task; to indicate
syn. assign
n. designation
n. designator
The president designated the vice president to represent him at the meeting.
The designated driver drove every one home after the party.
(designar, indicar)
determined
adj. strong in one’s opinion, firm in conviction, to find out
syn. resolute
n. determination
v. determine
They were determined to go to graduate school. The judge determined that the man was lying.
(determinado, firme)
elicit
v. to get the facts or draw out the truth
syn. extract
n. elicitation
A lawyer will elicit all the facts necessary to prove her case. Elicitation of the truth can be difficult at times.
(obter)
embody
v. to be a good example of a concept or idea
syn. exemplify
n. embodiment
The constitution is an embodiment of American ideals. Charlotte embodi[es all of the qualities of a good leader.
(incorporar)
instigate
v. to cause a conflict or argument
syn. initiate
n. instigator
adj. instigative
adv. instigatively
No one knew who had instigated the demonstration. Dissa,tisfaction with government policies instigated the revolution.
(instigar, fomentar)
mundane
adj. common or routine
syn. ordinary
adv. mundanely
n. mundaneness
n. mundanity
The student’s m1mdane summer job frustrated her.
His mother asked him to do all the mimdane household chores.
(mundano, banal)
petition
v. to make a request
syn. appeal
n. petition
Canada petitioned the United Nations to consider its case. The student’s petition was denied.
(petição, requerimento)
relinquish
v. to give up control
syn. abdicate
n. relinquishment
The troubled executive relinquished her control of the company.
The relinquishment of his claim to the building will allow the building to be sold.
(renunciar, abrir mão)
