Lessons 13-14 Flashcards
abut
v. be next to; border on
adjure
v. command solemnly; advise sincerely
descry
v. catch sight of a distance object after looking carefully; detect or discover
desecrate
v. misuse or violate something sacred
dillettante
n. person with only a superficial interest and slight knowledge of an art or other field of knowledge
equivocal
adj. having more than one meaning or interpretation, usually intended to confuse; uncertain or undecided
(equivocate) v. speak in a way that deliberately obscures one’s position
exhume
v. dig out of the ground; recover from neglect; revive
extirpate
v. destroy completely; wipe out
foible
n. small fault or weakness in a person’s character
insolvent
adj. without the means to pay what is owed; bankrupt
jocose
adj. given to joking; humorous and playful
portal
adj. door or entrance, especially one that is large and imposing
progenitor
n. direct ancestor
propitiate
v. overcome distrust or hostility; appease
restitution
n. paying back for what has been lost or damaged
acerbic
adj. bitter or sour to the taste; biting or stinging in tone; sarcastic
canard
n. groundless report or story, often one made up deliberately to deceive
debonair
adj. elegant in appearance and charming in manner
deign
v. lower oneself in one’s own estimation; condescend
dotage
n. mental deterioration associated with advanced age
foist
v. impose something unwanted or unneeded on an unwilling recipient
insipid
adj. tasteless; lacking excitement; uninteresting
misconstrue
v. misunderstand or misinterpret
narcissism
n. excessive admiration of oneself
overweening
adj. excessively proud; lacking restraint; immoderate
paean
n. hymn of joy, praise, or appreciation
repartee
n. conversation marked by quick and witty verbal exchanges
repine
v. express deep sadness or discontent; long for something lost
sartorial
adj. relating to clothing, especially tailored clothing
svelte
adj. slender and graceful; having sleek lines
