Lesson 9 Flashcards
defile
v. to make something dirty
The lake has been defiled by polluters.
egregious
adj. very bad and easily noticed
The article contains a number of egregious.
polemic
n. a strong written or spoken attack against someone else’s opinions beliefs,practices
Her book is a fierce polemic against the inequalities in our society.
vitriolic
adj. harsh and angry words
She launched a vitriolic attack against us.
turpitude
n. a very evil quality or way of behaving
He always been a moral turpitude.
paucity
n. a small amount of something
There was a relative paucity.
propensity
n. a strong natural tendency to do something
She has a propensity to assume the worst.
mercurial
adj. changing mood often and quickly
She has a mercurial personality.
solicitous
adj. showing concern or care for someone’s health, happiness.
I appreciated his solicitous inquiry about my health.
pallid
adj. very pale in a way that suggests poor body.
She had a pallid face while she was sick.
obdurate
adj. refusing to do what other people want
He is know for his obdurate determination.
riscous
adj.thick or sticky not flowing easily
The riscous liquid stick on her dress.
perfunctory
adj. used to describe somethihng that is done without energy
He made a perfunctory statement supporting the mayor.
reprobate
n. a person who behaves in a morally wrong way
A reprobate will not be liked by others.
quixotic
adj. hopeful or romantic in a way that is not practicle
They had quixotic dreams about the future.
myriad
n. a very large number of things.
The car comes in a myriad of colors.
palliate
v. to make the effects of (sth, such as illness) less painful, harmful or harsh
Treatments that can palliate the painful symptoms of the disease.
platitude
n. a statement that expresses an idea that is not new.
His speech was filled with familiar platitudes about the value of hard word and dedication.
tacit
adj. expressed or understood without being directly stated.
She felt that she had her parents’ tacit approval to borrow the car.
serendipity
n. luck that takes the form of finding raluable or pleasant things that are not looked for.
They found each other by pure serendipity.
