lit vocab 6 Flashcards
1
Q
insidious
A
proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with very harmful effects
e.g. sexual harassment is a serious and insidious problem.
2
Q
preclude
A
prevent from happening; make impossible
e.g. the secret nature of his work precluded official recognition.
3
Q
onerous
A
involving a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty e.g. onerous duties
4
Q
visceral
A
relating to deep feelings rather then intellect;
intuitive, felt deeply in the guts
e.g. a visceral performance
e.g. a visceral hatred towards egg salad
5
Q
murky
A
- dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist
- (of liquid) dark and dirty; not clear
- obscure or morally questionable e.g. a government minister with a murky past.
6
Q
imbibe
A
fancy word for drink
2. absorb or assimilate e.g. imbibe culture
7
Q
fortitude
A
strength and courage in pain or adversity e.g. she endured her illness with great fortitude.
8
Q
induce
A
- give rise to
2. succeed in persuading someone or leading them to do something e.g. she induced the workers to do shifts
9
Q
wherein
A
in which
10
Q
prevent from happening; make impossible
A
preclude
11
Q
proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with very harmful effects
A
insidious
12
Q
relating to deep feelings rather then intellect;
intuitive, felt deeply in the guts
A
visceral
13
Q
involving a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty
A
onerous
14
Q
- dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist
- (of liquid) dark and dirty; not clear
- obscure or morally questionable
A
murky
15
Q
- a fancy word for drink
2. absorb or assimilate
A
imbibe
16
Q
strength and courage in pain or adversity
A
fortitude
17
Q
- give rise to
2. succeed in persuading someone or leading them to do something
A
induce
18
Q
in which
A
wherein
19
Q
merit
v. / n.
A
- the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward
- to deserve or be worthy of something e.g. this merits and investigation
20
Q
hoar
A
greyish white with age
21
Q
subdue
A
- overcome, quieten, or bring under control (a feeling or person) e.g. she managed to subdue an instinct to applaud.
- bring under control or force
22
Q
quiver
A
(of people or objects) tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion e.g. the branches stopped quivering
23
Q
perish
A
die in a sudden or violent way
fall into a complete ruin or destruction
24
Q
greyish white with age
A
hoar
25
1. overcome, quieten, or bring under control (a feeling or person)
2. bring under control or force
subdue
26
1. the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward
2. to deserve or be worthy of something
merit
27
tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion
quiver
28
die in a sudden or violent way
| fall into a complete ruin or destruction
perish
29
rudimentary
1. limited to basic principles e.g. he received a rudimentary education.
2. relating to an immature, undeveloped, or basic form e.g. a rudimentary stage of evolution.
30
heed
| v. / n.
pay attention, take notice of
| e.g. take heed of my suggestions
31
haughty
arrogantly superior and disdainful
| disdainful = thinking someone is unworthy of consideration or respect
32
rufous
reddish brown
33
perjure
wilfully tell untruth or misinterpretation under oath (under oath = having sworn to tell the truth) e.g. in the court.
= commit perjury
34
perfidious
deceitful and untrustworthy (noun = perfidy)
35
1. limited to basic principles
| 2. relating to an immature, undeveloped, or basic form
rudimentary
36
spurn
reject with disdain or contempt
37
pay attention, take notice of
heed
38
reddish brown
rufous
39
deceitful and untrustworthy
perfidious
40
arrogantly superior and disdainful
haughty
41
wilfully tell untruth or misinterpretation under oath (under oath = having sworn to tell the truth) e.g. in the court.
perjure
42
reject with disdain or contempt
spurn
43
pallor
an unhealthy, sickly pale appearance e.g. the deathlike pallor of their face.
44
sibilant
characterized by a hissing sound e.g. his sibilant whisper.
45
reprieve
| v. / n.
1. to cancel or postpone punishment (especially death sentence) or undesirable event
e. g. the prisoners were reprieved
2. also relieve temporarily
the noun has the same meaning as the verb
46
come through
1. succeed in surviving or dealing with e.g. a ordeal, a surgery or even life itself - as Anne Lamott said: "You will come through."
2. (of a message) be sent and received.
47
penitence
sorrow and regret for having done wrong;
repentance (from repent)
adj. = penitent
48
cursory
hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed e.g. a glance or a hug
49
ransom
1. a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of a captive e.g. the kidnappers demanded a ransom.
2. verb - release a captive upon obtaining a ransom
50
brimful
full capacity or filled to the point of overflowing e.g. a jug brimful of custard.
51
relish
| v. / n
great enjoyment
| enjoy greatly
52
brawny
physically strong; bulky, muscular e.g they are more brawny than brainy
53
sorrow and regret for having done wrong;
| repentance (from repent)
penitence
54
hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed
cursory
55
1. succeed in surviving or dealing with e.g. a ordeal, a surgery or even life itself
2. (of a message) be sent and received.
come through
56
characterized by a hissing sound
sibilant
57
1. a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of a captive
2. verb - release a captive
ransom
58
full capacity or filled to the point of overflowing
brimful
59
1. to cancel or postpone punishment (especially death sentence) or undesirable event
2. relieve temporarily
reprieve
60
an unhealthy, sickly pale appearance
pallor
61
reprehend
reprimand = a formal expression of disapproval
62
offhand
1. ungraciously or offensively nonchalant or cool in manner e.g. you were a bit offhand with her this afternoon.
2. with little preparation or forethought; careless, brusque, inconsiderate
63
plutocrat
a person whose power derives from their wealth.
64
toil
| v. / noun
verb:
1. work extremely hard or incessantly e.g. Sarah toiled to build their company.
2. [with adverb of direction] move slowly and with difficulty
noun:
exhausting physical labour
65
slate
bridlica
66
impoverish
make poor
| exhaust strength or vitality of e.g. the soil was impoverished
67
ply
| v. / n.
1. work steadily
2. travel a route e.g. ferries ply the river
3. provide someone with food incessantly e.g. grandma plied me with scones
4. direct numerous questions at someone
5. noun - layer of something
68
envisage
imagine something that does not yet exist
69
exertion
effort, force or influence
70
a formal expression of disapproval
| reprimand synonym
reprehend
71
1. ungraciously or offensively nonchalant or cool in manner
| 2. with little preparation or forethought; careless, brusque, inconsiderate
offhand
72
bridlica
slate
73
make poor
| exhaust strength or vitality of
impoverish
74
a person whose power derives from their wealth.
plutocrat
75
1. work steadily
2. travel a route
3. provide someone with food incessantly
4. direct numerous questions at someone
5. noun - layer of something
ply
76
```
verb:
1. work extremely hard or incessantly
2. [with adverb of direction] move slowly and with difficulty
noun:
exhausting physical labour
```
toil
77
imagine something that does not yet exist
envisage
78
effort, force or influence
exertion
79
glean
1. obtain (information) from various sources, often with difficulty e.g. the information is gleaned from press cuttings.
2. collect gradually, bit by bit
80
pall
| noun / verb
1. covered in gloom or fear e.g. a pall of terror
2. cloud of dark smoke or dust
3. become less interesting through familiarity
81
insipid
lacking flavour, weak, tasteless e.g. insipid art or poetry cards
82
substantiate
provide evidence for
| prove the truth e.g. they had found nothing to substantiate the allegations
83
hearsay
rumour, gossip or info that can't be substantiated
84
stroll
walk in a leisurely way
85
swivel
a device that allows something to turn freely e.g. desk chairs are often designed so the seat can swivel atop the base. in the hospital, the TV is usually mounted on a swivel so that the nurses can adjust its facing.
86
stranded
stuck somewhere
| without ability to move from somewhere
87
abscond
leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest e.g. the barman absconded with a week's takings
88
verbatim
| adverb
in exactly the same words as were used originally e.g. subjects were instructed to recall the passage verbatim
89
1. something covered in gloom or fear
2. cloud of dark smoke or dust
3. become less interesting through familiarity
pall
90
lacking flavour, weak, tasteless
insipid
91
rumour, gossip or info that can't be substantiated
hearsay
92
leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest
abscond
93
provide evidence for
| prove the truth
substantiate
94
1. obtain (information) from various sources, often with difficulty
2. collect gradually, bit by bit
glean
95
walk in a leisurely way
stroll
96
stuck somewhere
| without ability to move from somewhere
stranded
97
in exactly the same words as were used originally
verbatim
98
a device that allows something to turn freely
swivel
99
adorn
make more beautiful or attractive
100
winch
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101
fret
1. be constantly or visibly anxious
2. with object = to make anxious
3. fray
102
eyrie
| [é-rie]
a large nest of an eagle or other bird of prey, built high in a tree or on a cliff.
103
refectory
a room used for communal meals in an educational or religious institution.
104
refractory
1. stubborn or unmanageable e.g. his refractory pony.
| 2. resistant to a process or stimulus e.g. to treatment, to infection or to heat (materials that don't melt)
105
shun
persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone or something) through antipathy or caution
purposefully stay away from
106
quiescent
| [quee-escent]
in a state or period of inactivity or dormancy
| quiet and still
107
unabashed
not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed
abashed - opposite
abash - make someone feel disconcerted
108
inadvertent
by accident, unplanned, unintentionally happening
109
billow
1. of smoke or steam - flow outward wavily
| 2. of fabric - fill with air and swell e.g. her dress billowed in the wind; a billowing skirt
110
impel
drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something e.g. financial difficulties impelled him to desperate measures
111
in a state or period of inactivity or dormancy
| quiet and still
quiescent
| [quee-escent]
112
1. of smoke or steam - flow outward wavily
| 2. of fabric - fill with air and swell
billow
113
a room used for communal meals in an educational or religious institution.
refectory
114
persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone or something) through antipathy or caution
purposefully stay away from
shun
115
1. stubborn or unmanageable
| 2. resistant to a process or stimulus e.g. to treatment, to infection or to heat (materials that don't melt)
refractory
116
a large nest of an eagle or other bird of prey, built high in a tree or on a cliff.
eyrie
| [é-rie]
117
eerie
| [í-rie]
spooky, creepy, supernatural, ghostly
118
by accident, unplanned, unintentionally happening
| adj.
inadvertent
119
drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something
impel
120
1. be constantly or visibly anxious
2. with object = to make anxious
3. fray
fret
121
the thing that lifts e.g. in a well
winch
122
make more beautiful or attractive
adorn
123
not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed
unabashed
124
equanimity
| equanimous
calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation
125
ruse
an action intended to deceive someone; a trick: Emma tried to think of a ruse to get Paul out of the house.
126
haphazard
lacking any obvious principle of organization: the music business works in a haphazard fashion.
127
callous
1. having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others e.g. his callous comments about the murder made me shiver.
2. emotionally hardened
128
swindle
to cheat or steal in a deceptive way, as Granny Weatherwax says: "Another time they'll think twice before trying to swindle people out of of a slice of bread that's theirs by rights!"
129
complacent
showing sly, smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself when it is unjustified - often used with people who are unwilling to be political e.g. people unwilling to protest corruption because it doesn't touch them.
another example: Oh? No one asked you to the prom? I've been asked three times," she said with smiling complacency.
130
abseil (or rappel)
| [ab-saa-il]
[mountaineering] descend a rock with a rope fixed higher
131
belay
secure or hold the end of a climbing rope so that the climber won't fall far if they slip
132
rigging
all the chains or ropes supporting a ship's mast or anything else
133
dereliction
1. the state of being abandoned and dilapidated
| 2. [of duty] the shameful failure to fulfil one's obligations
134
rapt
1. completely fascinated or absorbed by what one is seeing or hearing
2. filled with an intense and pleasurable emotion (enraptured)
135
doleful
expressing sorrow; mournful, full of woe e.g. a doleful look.
136
a throng
a large, densely packed crowd of people or animals
137
calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation
equanimity
138
[mountaineering] descend a rock with a rope fixed higher
abseil (or rappel)
| [ab-saa-il]
139
to cheat or steal in a deceptive way
swindle
140
1. having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others
| 2. emotionally hardened
callous
141
lacking any obvious principle of organisation
haphazard
142
an action intended to deceive someone; a trick
ruse
143
showing sly, smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself when it is unjustified - often used with people who are unwilling to be political
complacent
144
all the chains or ropes supporting a ship's mast or anything else
rigging
145
secure or hold the end of a climbing rope so that the climber won't fall far if they slip
belay
146
1. completely fascinated or absorbed by what one is seeing or hearing
2. filled with an intense and pleasurable emotion
rapt
147
1. the state of being abandoned and dilapidated
| 2. [of duty] the shameful failure to fulfil one's obligations
dereliction
148
expressing sorrow; mournful, full of woe
doleful
149
a large, densely packed crowd of people or animals
throng
150
restive
1. impatient, on the edge or ready to explode because the skin is too tight
2. unable to remain still, silent, or submissive, especially because of boredom or dissatisfaction e.g. the crowd had been waiting for hours and many were becoming restive.
3. it's the need for change and movement that makes someone restive or eager to move, frustrated at being stuck in one place e.g. restive areas where people are oppressed
151
thrall
[in thrall to] someone = under the control
| archaic: a slave, captive or a servant
152
booze
1. an alcoholic drink
| 2. to drink alchohol, especially in large quantities
153
vagrant
a person without a settled home or regular work who wanders from place to place and lives by begging
154
discretion
1. the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing confidential information
2. the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation e.g. local authorities should use their discretion in setting the charges
155
malaise
a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify e.g. a cultural malaise
156
1. impatient, on the edge or ready to explode because the skin is too tight
2. unable to remain still, silent, or submissive, especially because of boredom or dissatisfaction
3. it's the need for change and movement that makes someone restive or eager to move, frustrated at being stuck in one place
restive
157
a person without a settled home or regular work who wanders from place to place and lives by begging
vagrant
158
1. an alcoholic drink
| 2. to drink alchohol, especially in large quantities
booze
159
[in _____ to] someone = under the control
| archaic: a slave, captive or a servant
thrall
160
1. the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing confidential information
2. the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation e.g. schools
discretion
161
queasy
1. nauseous; feeling sick e.g. pale and queasy before vomiting
2. slightly nervous or worried e.g. before giving speech
162
enthuse
1. express eager enjoyment, interest, or approval regarding something e.g. they both enthused over my new look.
2. cause to feel enthusiasm
163
impend
1. be about to happen
| 2. (archaic) be looming e.g. the melancholy fate impended over him.
164
clement
1. (of weather) mild
| 2. (of a person) merciful
165
inexorable
1. impossible to stop
| 2. (of a person) stubborn, unrelenting (not yielding)
166
gaff
a stick with hook, barbed spear for handling or pulling the fish
167
sultry
1. (of air) hot and humid, sweltering
| 2. sexually exciting
168
impeccable
in accordance with the highest standards; faultless, flawless e.g. impeccable manners.
169
demeaning
lowering persons reputation, respect or dignity
170
petrify
turn into stone (also metaphorically because of e.g. fear)
171
putrefy
decay, rot, produce fetid smell
172
1. be about to happen
| 2. (archaic) be looming
impend
173
1. (of air) hot and humid, sweltering
| 2. sexually exciting
sultry
174
1. express eager enjoyment, interest, or approval regarding something
2. cause to feel enthusiasm
enthuse
175
a stick with hook, barbed spear for handling or pulling the fish
gaff
176
1. nauseous; feeling sick
| 2. slightly nervous or worried e.g. before giving speech
queasy
177
1. (of weather) mild
| 2. (of a person) merciful
clement
178
in accordance with the highest standards; faultless, flawless
impeccable
179
lowering persons reputation, respect or dignity
demeaning
180
turn into stone (also metaphorically because of e.g. fear)
petrify
181
decay, rot, produce fetid smell
putrefy
182
1. impossible to stop
| 2. (of a person) stubborn, unrelenting (not yielding)
inexorable
183
fester
1. become septic (infested with bacteria)
2. decay, rot and smell e.g. food
3. become worse progressively through neglect
4. deteriorate physically and mentally in isolated inactivity
184
iridescent
showing luminous colours that seem to change when seen from different angles e.g. the drake's head has an iridescent purple sheen.
185
convulse
have spasms, uncontrollable sudden movements
186
scruples
what keeps you from doing things you consider to be morally or ethically wrong
e. g. your scruples won't allow you to cheat on a test
e. g. I had no scruples about eavesdropping
187
tumbril
a farm dumpcart for carrying dung; carts of this type were used to carry prisoners to the guillotine during the French Revolution
188
sward
| [swo-rd]
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
189
showing luminous colours that seem to change when seen from different angles
iridescent
190
faculty
1. an inherent mental or physical power e.g. her critical faculties OR the faculty of sight.
2. at university
191
1. become septic (infested with bacteria)
2. decay, rot and smell e.g. food
3. become worse progressively through neglect
4. deteriorate physically and mentally in isolated inactivity
fester
192
volition
act of choosing, using will
193
have spasms, uncontrollable sudden movements
convulse
194
attest
to prove, declare to be true
| provide or serve as a clear evidence
195
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
sward
| [swo-rd]
196
flay
1. to peel the skin of a carcass - oskalpovať
whip so harshly so as to remove skin
2. critisize brutally
197
hitherto
until now or until the point in time under discussion
| e.g. hitherto part of French West Africa, Benin achieved independence in 1960.
198
rapport
| [ra-pó-r]
a close and harmonious relationship in which the groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well
e. g. she was able to establish a good rapport with the children
e. g. an instant rapport with animals
199
cairn
| [keirn]
a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path typically on a hilltop
200
tow
drag behind e.g. a child towing behind on a walk
a vehicle pulling another vehicle with a rope
(be in tow with)
201
to prove, declare to be true
| provide or serve as a clear evidence
attest
202
an inherent mental or physical power
faculty
203
what keeps you from doing things you consider to be morally or ethically wrong
scruples
204
emergent
in the process of coming into being or becoming prominent e.g. the emergent democracies of eastern Europe.
205
until now or until the point in time under discussion
hitherto
206
act of choosing, using will
volition
207
1. to peel the skin of a carcass - oskalpovať
whip so harshly so as to remove skin
2. critisize brutally
flay
208
a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path typically on a hilltop
cairn
| [keirn]
209
a close and harmonious relationship in which the groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well
rapport
| [ra-pó-r]
210
a farm dumpcart for carrying dung; carts of this type were used to carry prisoners to the guillotine during the French Revolution
tumbril
211
in the process of coming into being or becoming prominent
emergent
212
paucity
the presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities or amounts e.g. a paucity of information.
213
aptitude
1. a natural ability to do something e.g. children with an aptitude for dancing
2. a natural tendency e.g. their aptitude for deceit.
214
irreverent
showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously - doesn’t necessarily mean you don't like something; it’s just that you don’t display the same honor for it that other people do.
e.g. when people at the Louvre are standing in hushed awe in front of the "Mona Lisa" it would be irreverent to holler "What's so great about that?"
215
aberration
a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically an unwelcome one: they described the outbreak of violence in the area as an aberration.
216
blithe
showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper e.g. just another symbol of patriarchy that we continue blithely and needlessly to perpetuate.
- used to mean happy and carefree
217
substantive
having a firm basis in reality and so important, meaningful, or considerable e.g. it would be helpful to hear a substantive comment.
218
bowdlerise
edit by ommiting or modifying parts considered indelicate
| e.g. it is a pity the lyrics have been bowdlerised
