List 6 Flashcards
Cynosure
one that serves to direct or guide; a center of attention
Debutante
one making a debut; a young woman making a formal entrance into society
Deprecate
to express disapproval of (something); to belittle (something); to withdraw support of (something) in favor of a newer alternative
Physiognomy
the act of deriving character from external appearance; an inner quality revealed outwardly
Iconoclastic
attacking settled beliefs or institutions
Ignominious
humiliating or dishonorable
Ichthyology
a branch of zoology concerned with fishes
Cacophony
a harsh or jarring sound, specifically of words or phrases
Husbandry
the cultivation of plants or animals; agriculture
Postprandial
happening after lunch (or any meal)
Dissonance
a lack of agreement; a harsh noise, especially of music
Idiosyncrasy
a particular distinctive or unique trait, characteristic, or mode of thinking specific to a given person
Ephemeral
lasting a very short time; lasting for one day
Miasma
a (metaphorical) atmosphere that tends to decay or corrupt; a vaporous exhalation formerly believed to cause disease
Propinquity
kinship; relation by blood; proximity in time or place
Effigy
a crude figure or representation of a person, especially of someone who is hated
Mugwump
a bolter from the Republican party in 1884; someone independent or neutral (usually politically)
Promulgate
to make (an idea or belief) known to the masses or public
Equine
RELATING TO HORSES.
Myopic
nearsighted; lacking in foresight
Prodigal
lavish; characterized by excessive spending
Profligate
adjective - wildly extravagant and self-indulging; noun - someone who excessively self-indulges
Prodigious
causing amazement or wonder; befitting a prodigy
Posthumous
occurring after death; born after the death of the father; published after the death of the author
Platitude
an remark used too often to be meaningful
Hibernal
relating to or happening in winter
Dilatory
tending to or intended to cause delay; tardy; characterized by procrastination
Disingenuous
not being entirely open or honest; giving a false appearance of being frank; calculating
Dolorous
causing, marked by, or expressing misery or grief
Precarious
characterized by a lack of stability threatening with danger; dubious; depending on chance circumstances or unknown conditions
