List A1 Flashcards
piquant
adj. agreeably pungent or sharp in taste; tart; agreeably stimulating or interesting n. piquancy
rouse
v. to wake or provoke
endow
v. to provide with material goods, talents, or qualities n. endowment
xenophobia
n. fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners adj. xenophobic
fathom
v. to measure the depth of; to understand
couch
v. to phrase in a particular way
banal
adj. dull or stale; commonplace n. banality
superlative
adj. excellent; of the highest quality
skirmish
n. a minor conflict
lassitude
n. a feeling of weakness
deranged
adj. mentally disturbed
draconian
adj. extremely harsh or severe
svelte
adj. slender and graceful in outline
resilient
adj. able to recover quickly (e.g., from bending or illness) n. resilience
crux
n. an essential or pivotal point; a perplexing difficulty
dapper
adj. neat and trim in appearance
apprehension
n. worry or unease adj. apprehensive
tender
v. to offer formally; n. a legal offer; something, esp. money, offered in payment
gradient
n. a ramp or slope
vantage
n. a position that gives a wide view
waggish
adj. mischievous; playful
reminisce
v. to recall the past; esp. fondly n. reminiscence adj. reminiscent
recluse
n. one who hides from the world adj. reclusive
knoll
n. a small rounded hill
canard
n. a false report
quip
n. a remark or reply that is witty or sarcastic
unkempt
adj. sloppy; messy; unclean
cadaver
n. a dead body; esp. a human body to be dissected adj. cadaverous
shade
n. a small variation; nuance; a small amount
warren
n. an enclosed space in which rabbits breed or are numerous; any place that is crowded like a rabbit warren
precede
v. to go before
coalesce
v. to grow together; to merge into a single body n. coalescence
furrow
n. a trench in the earth made by a plow; a wrinkle
recede
v. to go back; to withdraw
flower
v. to reach the best or most vigorous stage
lore
n. knowledge about a particular subject; esp. of a tradition or popular nature
recur
v. to repeat; to occur again adj. recursive
grotesque
adj. strangely or absurdly distorted
reluctant
adj. unwilling; disinclined n. reluctance
repose
n. relaxation; a state of rest
sullen
adj. showing silent anger and unwillingness to be pleasant to people
consul
n. official residing in a foreign country
baffle
v. to frustrate, as by confusing
candor
n. frankness or sincerity of expression adj. candid
slovenly
adj. careless about one’s own appearance
affluence
n. wealth adj. affluent
fluctuate
v. to move back and forth or up and down, esp. unpredictably
voluble
adj. talkative n. volubility
quixotic
adj. foolishly idealistic; extravagantly chivalrous
remonstrate
v. to make objections n. remonstration
tangible
adj. able to be touched or treated as real
embroil
v. to engage in trouble; to complicate
homely
adj. unattractive, plain looking
stamina
n. resistance to fatigue or hardship; endurance
primp
v. to dress or groom with careful attention to detail
posterity
n. future generations
kindling
n. dry sticks of wood used to start a fire
rift
n. a break in friendly relations
rancid
adj. spoiled or rotten (esp. oils or fats)
shard
n. a fragment of a brittle substance, e.g., glass or pottery; a small piece of something
sarcasm
n. harsh, often ironic ridicule, intended to hurt adj. sarcastic
deluge
n. a great flood
extortion
n. taking (property or money) by force or threat of force v. extort adj. extortionate
comely
adj. attractive or pleasing in appearance; pretty; handsome
vogue
n. prevailing fashion adj. voguish
obsequious
adj. showing too great a willingness to serve or obey
scion
n. an heir; a descendant
bowdlerize
v. to censor, esp. prudishly
defer
v. to delay; to put off n. deferment
become
v. to be appropriate or suitable to; to look good with
milestone
n. an important event
fleet
adj. moving swiftly
buoy
v. to keep afloat; to raise the spirits of adj. buoyant
euphony
n. pleasing sound, esp. of words adj. euphonious
hierarchy
n. a ranking according to status or ability; a group having authority adj. hierarchical
scintillate
v. to give off sparks; to be animated or brilliant adj. scintillating
anonymous
adj. having an unknown or unacknowledged name n. anonymity
lineaments
n. any of the features of the body, usually the face
dilute
v. to lessen the concentration, force, or purity of by adding something n. dilution
zeal
n. an intense passion or enthusiasm adj. zealous n. zealot
blanket
adj. applying to all conditions or instances
deviate
v. to depart from the norm adj. deviant
dynasty
n. a succession of rulers or people in power from the same family adj. dynastic
detriment
n. injury or damage adj. detrimental
gauge
n. an instrument for measuring or testing; v. to measure
wreak
v. to inflict; to cause (something bad)
maverick
n. one who rebels; a nonconformist; an individualist
protean
adj. easily taking on different forms
lenient
adj. inclined not to be strict v. leniency
éclat
n. great brilliance, as of performance or achievement; conspicuous success
ravine
n. a deep, narrow gorge, esp. one worn down with running water
malinger
v. to act sick in order to avoid work
chauvinism
n. unreasoning and boastful devotion to one’s country or sex adj. chauvinistic
placid
adj. calm, undisturbed n. placidity
voracious
adj. devouring; extremely hungry n. voracity
skulk
v. to lurk; to move secretively
malaise
n. a vague feeling of physical discomfort or uneasiness
lineage
n. direct descent from an ancestor; derivation
diverge
v. to depart from a set course or opinion adj. divergent n. divergence
clamber
v. to crawl or climb with difficulty, esp. on all fours
bulwark
n. a wall or embankment used for a defensive fortification; something serving as a defense or safeguard, often figurative
acme
n. the highest point, as of perfection
ostracize
v. to shun n. ostracism
waif
n. a person without home or friends
skittish
adj. nervous; easily frightened
filament
n. a fine wire or thread
perpetuity
n. a state of infinite or indefinitely long duration adj. perpetual
palpable
adj. capable of being handled, touched, or felt; easily protected
demure
adj. coy; modest; reserved
elucidate
v. to make something clear; to clarify
claustrophobia
n. fear of confined spaces adj. claustrophobic
mien
n. bearing or manner, esp. as revealing as one’s inner state of mind
discard
v. to throw out
bedlam
n. any place or condition of noise and confusion
chary
adj. very cautious
mélange
n. a mixture; a hodgepodge
improvise
v. to do without preparation
indulgent
adj. lenient; giving in to the desires of others v. indulge n. indulgence
premonition
n. a sense of a future event; a warning in advance
occult
adj. relating to the supernatural; beyond human comprehension; mysterious
queasy
adj. sick to one’s stomach; nauseated
mortal
adj. subject to death; causing death
insidious
adj. subtly harmful; stealthy; sneaky
beleaguered
adj. harassed; besieged v. beleaguer
elysian
adj. heavenly or delightful
gist
n. the main objective or point
loquacious
adj. very talkative
procrastinate
v. to delay; to put off
impervious
adj. completely resistant to penetration; unaffected
fidelity
n. strict faithfulness to vows or promises; exact correspondence with fact
aptitude
n. an inherent capacity for learning, understanding, or performing
parochial
adj. restricted; limited; narrow; local
acclaim
v. to praise enthusiastically, esp. publicly n. acclaim
incessant
adj. never pausing; continuous; without a stop
intrinsic
adj. relating to the essential nature of something
recumbent
adj. lying down in a position of comfort
ramification
n. a development or consequence resulting from a course of action
gauche
adj. socially awkward
adept
adj. very skilled, esp. natural talent improved by practice
windfall
n. unexpected good fortune
curtail
v. to cut short; abbreviate
bulk
v. to stop short and refuse to continue
reciprocate
v. to give something in return adj. reciprocal
facilitate
v. to make easier
pedagogy
n. the art or profession of teaching n. pedagogue
pristine
adj. remaining in a pure state
arduous
adj. difficult; laborious
innate
adj. possessed at birth; inborn
pique
v. to arouse (interest, curiosity, etc.); to irritate
rote
n. mechanical memorization, often without full understanding
exacerbate
v. to make more violent, bitter, or severe
rue
v. to regret adj. rueful
esteem
n. high regard; respect; v. to regard highly
foster
v. to bring up or nurture
aesthetic
adj. relating to beauty n. aestheticism
specious
adj. seeming to be truthful on the surface but actually false
progenitor
n. a direct ancestor
audacious
adj. fearlessly, often recklessly bold; insolent n. audacity
fluster
v. to make nervous or upset
warrant
v. to justify or deserve
supersede
v. to replace
desiccate
v. to dry completely
cliché
n. an overused expression
reticence
n. the quality or state of being silent or uncommunicative adj. reticent
imbue
v. to inspire; to permeate; to fill with a mood or tone
propitous
adj. presenting favorable circumstances
proficient
adj. very skillful, esp. through training
coddle
v. to treat indulgently
itinerant
adj. traveling from place to place, esp. for work
affliction
n. pain; suffering; any causing pain v. afflict
vagary
n. an erratic notion or action
précis
n. a concise summary of a text
enormity
n. a great wickedness; an evil act
discriminate
v. to make a clear distinction n. discrimination
compass
n. area; range; scope
eclectic
adj. composed of materials from various sources
prerogative
n. an exclusive right or privilege, esp. one that is the result of heredity or official position
incur
v. to acquire or sustain something undesirable
exigent
adj. requiring immediate action n. exigency
entail
v. to have as a necessary result
nebulous
adj. unclear; vague
recount
v. to tell in detail
commiserate
v. to express sympathy
intrepid
adj. bold; fearless
hermetic
adj. completely sealed, esp. from entry or escape of air
erudite
adj. well-educated n. erudition
generic
adj. without a trademark; general
aspiration
n. a strong desire for achievement v. aspire
efficacy
n. the power to produce the desired effect adj. efficacious
temerity
n. willingness to do or say something that shocks or upsets people adj. temerarious
imperative
adj. urgently necessary; impossible to deter or evade
bromide
n. commonplace remark intended to calm; platitude
empirical
adj. based on experience rather than a theory n. empiricism
relegate
v. to assign to an obscure place or condition; to send away
envelop
v. to enclose or surround
argot
n. specialized vocabulary unique to a particular group
approbation
n. official approval adj. approbatory
facetious
adj. playfully humorous
superfluous
adj. unnecessary; extra n. superfluity
adulation
n. excessive flattery or admiration
A1 Definitions
v. to wake or provoke
rouse
A1 Definitions
adj. agreeably pungent or sharp in taste; tart; agreeably stimulating or interesting n. piquancy
piquant
A1 Definitions
v. to provide with material goods, talents, or qualities n. endowment
endow
A1 Definitions
n. fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners adj. xenophobic
xenophobia
A1 Definitions
v. to measure the depth of; to understand
fathom
A1 Definitions
v. to phrase in a particular way
couch
A1 Definitions
adj. dull or stale; commonplace n. banality
banal
A1 Definitions
adj. excellent; of the highest quality
superlative
A1 Definitions
n. a minor conflict
skirmish
A1 Definitions
n. a feeling of weakness
lassitude
A1 Definitions
adj. mentally disturbed
deranged
A1 Definitions
adj. extremely harsh or severe
draconian
A1 Definitions
adj. slender and graceful in outline
svelte
A1 Definitions
adj. able to recover quickly (e.g., from bending or illness) n. resilience
resilient
A1 Definitions
n. an essential or pivotal point; a perplexing difficulty
crux
A1 Definitions
adj. neat and trim in appearance
dapper
A1 Definitions
n. worry or unease adj. apprehensive
apprehension
A1 Definitions
v. to offer formally; n. a legal offer; something, esp. money, offered in payment
tender
A1 Definitions
n. a ramp or slope
gradient
A1 Definitions
n. a position that gives a wide view
vantage
A1 Definitions
adj. mischievous; playful
waggish
A1 Definitions
v. to recall the past; esp. fondly n. reminiscence adj. reminiscent
reminisce
A1 Definitions
n. one who hides from the world adj. reclusive
recluse
A1 Definitions
n. a small rounded hill
knoll
A1 Definitions
n. a false report
canard
A1 Definitions
n. a remark or reply that is witty or sarcastic
quip
A1 Definitions
adj. sloppy; messy; unclean
unkempt
A1 Definitions
n. a dead body; esp. a human body to be dissected adj. cadaverous
cadaver
A1 Definitions
n. a small variation; nuance; a small amount
shade
A1 Definitions
n. an enclosed space in which rabbits breed or are numerous; any place that is crowded like a rabbit warren
warren
A1 Definitions
v. to go before
precede
A1 Definitions
v. to grow together; to merge into a single body n. coalescence
coalesce
A1 Definitions
n. a trench in the earth made by a plow; a wrinkle
furrow
A1 Definitions
v. to go back; to withdraw
recede
A1 Definitions
v. to reach the best or most vigorous stage
flower
A1 Definitions
n. knowledge about a particular subject; esp. of a tradition or popular nature
lore
A1 Definitions
v. to repeat; to occur again adj. recursive
recur
A1 Definitions
adj. strangely or absurdly distorted
grotesque
A1 Definitions
adj. unwilling; disinclined n. reluctance
reluctant
A1 Definitions
n. relaxation; a state of rest
repose
A1 Definitions
adj. showing silent anger and unwillingness to be pleasant to people
sullen
A1 Definitions
n. official residing in a foreign country
consul
A1 Definitions
v. to frustrate, as by confusing
baffle
A1 Definitions
n. frankness or sincerity of expression adj. candid
candor
A1 Definitions
adj. careless about one’s own appearance
slovenly
A1 Definitions
n. wealth adj. affluent
affluence
A1 Definitions
v. to move back and forth or up and down, esp. unpredictably
fluctuate
A1 Definitions
adj. talkative n. volubility
voluble
A1 Definitions
adj. foolishly idealistic; extravagantly chivalrous
quixotic
A1 Definitions
v. to make objections n. remonstration
remonstrate
A1 Definitions
adj. able to be touched or treated as real
tangible
A1 Definitions
v. to engage in trouble; to complicate
embroil
A1 Definitions
adj. unattractive, plain looking
homely
A1 Definitions
n. resistance to fatigue or hardship; endurance
stamina
A1 Definitions
v. to dress or groom with careful attention to detail
primp
A1 Definitions
n. future generations
posterity
A1 Definitions
n. dry sticks of wood used to start a fire
kindling
A1 Definitions
n. a break in friendly relations
rift
A1 Definitions
adj. spoiled or rotten (esp. oils or fats)
rancid
A1 Definitions
n. a fragment of a brittle substance, e.g., glass or pottery; a small piece of something
shard
A1 Definitions
n. harsh, often ironic ridicule, intended to hurt adj. sarcastic
sarcasm
A1 Definitions
n. a great flood
deluge
A1 Definitions
n. taking (property or money) by force or threat of force v. extort adj. extortionate
extortion
A1 Definitions
adj. attractive or pleasing in appearance; pretty; handsome
comely
A1 Definitions
n. prevailing fashion adj. voguish
vogue
A1 Definitions
adj. showing too great a willingness to serve or obey
obsequious
A1 Definitions
n. an heir; a descendant
scion
A1 Definitions
v. to censor, esp. prudishly
bowdlerize
A1 Definitions
v. to delay; to put off n. deferment
defer
A1 Definitions
v. to be appropriate or suitable to; to look good with
become
A1 Definitions
n. an important event
milestone
A1 Definitions
adj. moving swiftly
fleet
A1 Definitions
v. to keep afloat; to raise the spirits of adj. buoyant
buoy
A1 Definitions
n. pleasing sound, esp. of words adj. euphonious
euphony
A1 Definitions
n. a ranking according to status or ability; a group having authority adj. hierarchical
hierarchy
A1 Definitions
v. to give off sparks; to be animated or brilliant adj. scintillating
scintillate
A1 Definitions
adj. having an unknown or unacknowledged name n. anonymity
anonymous
A1 Definitions
n. any of the features of the body, usually the face
lineaments
A1 Definitions
v. to lessen the concentration, force, or purity of by adding something n. dilution
dilute
A1 Definitions
n. an intense passion or enthusiasm adj. zealous n. zealot
zeal
A1 Definitions
adj. applying to all conditions or instances
blanket
A1 Definitions
v. to depart from the norm adj. deviant
deviate
A1 Definitions
n. a succession of rulers or people in power from the same family adj. dynastic
dynasty
A1 Definitions
n. injury or damage adj. detrimental
detriment
A1 Definitions
n. an instrument for measuring or testing; v. to measure
gauge
A1 Definitions
v. to inflict; to cause (something bad)
wreak
A1 Definitions
n. one who rebels; a nonconformist; an individualist
maverick
A1 Definitions
adj. easily taking on different forms
protean
A1 Definitions
adj. inclined not to be strict v. leniency
lenient
A1 Definitions
n. great brilliance, as of performance or achievement; conspicuous success
éclat
A1 Definitions
n. a deep, narrow gorge, esp. one worn down with running water
ravine
A1 Definitions
v. to act sick in order to avoid work
malinger
A1 Definitions
n. unreasoning and boastful devotion to one’s country or sex adj. chauvinistic
chauvinism
A1 Definitions
adj. calm, undisturbed n. placidity
placid
A1 Definitions
adj. devouring; extremely hungry n. voracity
voracious
A1 Definitions
v. to lurk; to move secretively
skulk
A1 Definitions
n. a vague feeling of physical discomfort or uneasiness
malaise
A1 Definitions
n. direct descent from an ancestor; derivation
lineage
A1 Definitions
v. to depart from a set course or opinion adj. divergent n. divergence
diverge
A1 Definitions
v. to crawl or climb with difficulty, esp. on all fours
clamber
A1 Definitions
n. a wall or embankment used for a defensive fortification; something serving as a defense or safeguard, often figurative
bulwark
A1 Definitions
n. the highest point, as of perfection
acme
A1 Definitions
v. to shun n. ostracism
ostracize
A1 Definitions
n. a person without home or friends
waif
A1 Definitions
adj. nervous; easily frightened
skittish
A1 Definitions
n. a fine wire or thread
filament
A1 Definitions
n. a state of infinite or indefinitely long duration adj. perpetual
perpetuity
A1 Definitions
adj. capable of being handled, touched, or felt; easily protected
palpable
A1 Definitions
adj. coy; modest; reserved
demure
A1 Definitions
v. to make something clear; to clarify
elucidate
A1 Definitions
n. fear of confined spaces adj. claustrophobic
claustrophobia
A1 Definitions
n. bearing or manner, esp. as revealing as one’s inner state of mind
mien
A1 Definitions
v. to throw out
discard
A1 Definitions
n. any place or condition of noise and confusion
bedlam
A1 Definitions
adj. very cautious
chary
A1 Definitions
n. a mixture; a hodgepodge
mélange
A1 Definitions
v. to do without preparation
improvise
A1 Definitions
adj. lenient; giving in to the desires of others v. indulge n. indulgence
indulgent
A1 Definitions
n. a sense of a future event; a warning in advance
premonition
A1 Definitions
adj. relating to the supernatural; beyond human comprehension; mysterious
occult
A1 Definitions
adj. sick to one’s stomach; nauseated
queasy
A1 Definitions
adj. subject to death; causing death
mortal
A1 Definitions
adj. subtly harmful; stealthy; sneaky
insidious
A1 Definitions
adj. harassed; besieged v. beleaguer
beleaguered
A1 Definitions
adj. heavenly or delightful
elysian
A1 Definitions
n. the main objective or point
gist
A1 Definitions
adj. very talkative
loquacious
A1 Definitions
v. to delay; to put off
procrastinate
A1 Definitions
adj. completely resistant to penetration; unaffected
impervious
A1 Definitions
n. strict faithfulness to vows or promises; exact correspondence with fact
fidelity
A1 Definitions
n. an inherent capacity for learning, understanding, or performing
aptitude
A1 Definitions
adj. restricted; limited; narrow; local
parochial
A1 Definitions
v. to praise enthusiastically, esp. publicly n. acclaim
acclaim
A1 Definitions
adj. never pausing; continuous; without a stop
incessant
A1 Definitions
adj. relating to the essential nature of something
intrinsic
A1 Definitions
adj. lying down in a position of comfort
recumbent
A1 Definitions
n. a development or consequence resulting from a course of action
ramification
A1 Definitions
adj. socially awkward
gauche
A1 Definitions
adj. very skilled, esp. natural talent improved by practice
adept
A1 Definitions
n. unexpected good fortune
windfall
A1 Definitions
v. to cut short; abbreviate
curtail
A1 Definitions
v. to stop short and refuse to continue
bulk
A1 Definitions
v. to give something in return adj. reciprocal
reciprocate
A1 Definitions
v. to make easier
facilitate
A1 Definitions
n. the art or profession of teaching n. pedagogue
pedagogy
A1 Definitions
adj. remaining in a pure state
pristine
A1 Definitions
adj. difficult; laborious
arduous
A1 Definitions
adj. possessed at birth; inborn
innate
A1 Definitions
v. to arouse (interest, curiosity, etc.); to irritate
pique
A1 Definitions
n. mechanical memorization, often without full understanding
rote
A1 Definitions
v. to make more violent, bitter, or severe
exacerbate
A1 Definitions
v. to regret adj. rueful
rue
A1 Definitions
n. high regard; respect; v. to regard highly
esteem
A1 Definitions
v. to bring up or nurture
foster
A1 Definitions
adj. relating to beauty n. aestheticism
aesthetic
A1 Definitions
adj. seeming to be truthful on the surface but actually false
specious
A1 Definitions
n. a direct ancestor
progenitor
A1 Definitions
adj. fearlessly, often recklessly bold; insolent n. audacity
audacious
A1 Definitions
v. to make nervous or upset
fluster
A1 Definitions
v. to justify or deserve
warrant
A1 Definitions
v. to replace
supersede
A1 Definitions
v. to dry completely
desiccate
A1 Definitions
n. an overused expression
cliché
A1 Definitions
n. the quality or state of being silent or uncommunicative adj. reticent
reticence
A1 Definitions
v. to inspire; to permeate; to fill with a mood or tone
imbue
A1 Definitions
adj. presenting favorable circumstances
propitous
A1 Definitions
adj. very skillful, esp. through training
proficient
A1 Definitions
v. to treat indulgently
coddle
A1 Definitions
adj. traveling from place to place, esp. for work
itinerant
A1 Definitions
n. pain; suffering; any causing pain v. afflict
affliction
A1 Definitions
n. an erratic notion or action
vagary
A1 Definitions
n. a concise summary of a text
précis
A1 Definitions
n. a great wickedness; an evil act
enormity
A1 Definitions
v. to make a clear distinction n. discrimination
discriminate
A1 Definitions
n. area; range; scope
compass
A1 Definitions
adj. composed of materials from various sources
eclectic
A1 Definitions
n. an exclusive right or privilege, esp. one that is the result of heredity or official position
prerogative
A1 Definitions
v. to acquire or sustain something undesirable
incur
A1 Definitions
adj. requiring immediate action n. exigency
exigent
A1 Definitions
v. to have as a necessary result
entail
A1 Definitions
adj. unclear; vague
nebulous
A1 Definitions
v. to tell in detail
recount
A1 Definitions
v. to express sympathy
commiserate
A1 Definitions
adj. bold; fearless
intrepid
A1 Definitions
adj. completely sealed, esp. from entry or escape of air
hermetic
A1 Definitions
adj. well-educated n. erudition
erudite
A1 Definitions
adj. without a trademark; general
generic
A1 Definitions
n. a strong desire for achievement v. aspire
aspiration
A1 Definitions
n. the power to produce the desired effect adj. efficacious
efficacy
A1 Definitions
n. willingness to do or say something that shocks or upsets people adj. temerarious
temerity
A1 Definitions
adj. urgently necessary; impossible to deter or evade
imperative
A1 Definitions
n. commonplace remark intended to calm; platitude
bromide
A1 Definitions
adj. based on experience rather than a theory n. empiricism
empirical
A1 Definitions
v. to assign to an obscure place or condition; to send away
relegate
A1 Definitions
v. to enclose or surround
envelop
A1 Definitions
n. specialized vocabulary unique to a particular group
argot
A1 Definitions
n. official approval adj. approbatory
approbation
A1 Definitions
adj. playfully humorous
facetious
A1 Definitions
adj. unnecessary; extra n. superfluity
superfluous
A1 Definitions
n. excessive flattery or admiration
adulation
