Lessons 15-16 Flashcards
ascertain
v. find out for certain
chastise
v. punish by beating; rebuke or criticize severely
cull
v. select and remove weak or inferior members from
defer
v. pull off or postpone; yield to out of respect for the knowledge or authority of another
(deference) n. submitting to the wishes of another because of respect
desist
v. refrain from continuing something
discredit
v. hurt the reputation of; destroy confidence or trust in
encroach
v. advance little by little beyond the usual limits or boundaries
foreboding
n. strong feeling that something bad is about to happen
humane
adj. compassionate, kind to other human beings or to animals
irrational
adj. lacking sound judgment; not governed by reason
lurid
adj. causing horror; extremely gruesome; glowing with the redness of flames seen through a haze
perpetuate
v. cause to continue indefinitely
restive
adj. showing impatience because of restrictions or delays
stamina
n. physical strength or courage to resist hardship, illness, or fatigue
surveillance
n. close observation of a person or area
alleviate
v. relieve or make more bearable
antidote
n. remedy that relieves the effects of a poison; anything that offers relief from an undesirable condition
bedlam
n. very confused and noisy scene
cajole
v. urge with gentle and repeated requests; coax
glib
adj. marked by an ease in speaking or writing that often shows lack of concern or sincerity
haggard
adj. having a tired look; worn out
immaculate
adj. perfectly clean; spotless; without a flaw; faultless
incessant
adj. going on without interruption; continual
indulgent
adj. inclined to give in easily; lenient
(indulge) v. give in too easily to the wishes of; yield to
loll
v. sit back in a relaxed way; sprawl; hang loosely; droop
pittance
n. very small amount, especially of money
pungent
adj. having a sharp smell or taste; sharply critical; painfully direct
rue
v. feel regret or sorrow over
strident
adj. harsh and grating; loud and shrill
vehement
adj. expressing strong feeling; intense
