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English > literature vocab 3 > Flashcards

literature vocab 3 Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

take someone aback

A

shock or surprise

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2
Q

disabuse

A

persuade (someone) that an idea or belief is mistaken: he quickly disabused me of my fanciful notions.

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3
Q

fey

A

1 giving an impression of vague unworldliness or mystery: a rather fey romantic novelist.
2 having supernatural powers of clairvoyance.

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4
Q

furtive

A

attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive: they spent a furtive day together | he stole a furtive glance at her.
• suggestive of guilty nervousness: the look in his eyes became furtive.

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5
Q

offing

A

the more distant part of the sea in view

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6
Q

pretence

A

an attempt to make something untrue appear true,

something giving false appearance

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7
Q

torpor

A

a state of mental and physical inactivity.
“After a huge Thanksgiving meal, my family members fall into a torpor; no one can even pick up the TV remote.”
- also deep animal sleep

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8
Q

extrapolate

A
  • use specific details to make a general comment
  • extend the application of (a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue
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9
Q

persuade (someone) that an idea or belief is mistaken: he quickly disabused me of my fanciful notions.

A

disabuse

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10
Q

shock or surprise

A

take someone aback

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11
Q

the more distant part of the sea in view

A

offing

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12
Q

a state of mental and physical inactivity.

- also deep animal sleep

A

torpor

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13
Q

attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive
• suggestive of guilty nervousness

A

furtive

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14
Q
  • use specific details to make a general comment
  • extend the application of (a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue
A

extrapolate

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15
Q

an attempt to make something untrue appear true,

something giving false appearance

A

pretence

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16
Q

1 giving an impression of vague unworldliness or mystery: a rather fey romantic novelist.
2 having supernatural powers of clairvoyance.

A

fey

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17
Q

dapper

A

(of a man) neat and trim in dress and appearance

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18
Q

trot

A

run at moderate pace with short steps

- (informal) walk briskly

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19
Q

wry

A

characterised by sarcastic (or dry and mocking) humour

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20
Q

solemn

A

having deep sincerity

formal and dignified

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21
Q

tantalize

A

torment or tease someone with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable
- excite the senses or desires of someone

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22
Q

deprecate

A
  • express disapproval of
  • make someone feel unimportant by speaking to them disrespectfully e.g. senior students deprecate juniors
  • diminish or oppose (also self-deprecate)
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23
Q

sleight (n.)

A

the use of clever cunningness in the sense of deceit or trickery

24
Q

feat

A

an achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength

25
Q

(of a man) neat and trim in dress and appearance

A

dapper

26
Q

characterised by sarcastic (or dry and mocking) humour

A

wry

27
Q

run at moderate pace with short steps

- (informal) walk briskly

A

trot

28
Q

having deep sincerity

formal and dignified

A

solemn

29
Q
  • express disapproval of
  • make someone feel unimportant by speaking to them disrespectfully
  • diminish or oppose
A

deprecate

30
Q

torment or tease someone with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable
- excite the senses or desires of someone

A

tantalize

31
Q

an achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength

A

feat

32
Q

the use of clever cunningness in the sense of deceit or trickery

A

sleight (n.)

33
Q

heuristic

A

enabling a person to discover or learn something for themselves

34
Q

deem

A

regard or consider in a specified way

view as or judge

35
Q

relegate

A

assign an inferior position

36
Q

hoe

A

motyka

37
Q

abstracted

A

lacking concentration on what is happening

38
Q

hoarse

[horse]

A

(of a person’s voice) sounding rough and harsh, typically as the result of a sore throat or of shouting

39
Q

affinity

A

a natural liking for and understanding of someone or something: he had a special affinity with horses.
• a similarity of characteristics (plants, languages)

40
Q

contention

A

a heated disagreement

- the act of competing

41
Q

rapier

A

sharp-pointed sword used for fencing

42
Q

chink

A

a narrow opening, typically one that admits light: a chink in the curtains

43
Q

slouch

A

stand, move, or sit in a lazy, drooping way

44
Q

a natural liking for and understanding of someone or something
• a similarity of characteristics (plants, languages)

A

affinity

45
Q

regard or consider in a specified way

view as or judge

A

deem

46
Q

enabling a person to discover or learn something for themselves

A

heuristic

47
Q

assign an inferior position

A

relegate

48
Q

a heated disagreement

- the act of competing

A

contention

49
Q

stand, move, or sit in a lazy, drooping way

A

slouch

50
Q

(of a person’s voice) sounding rough and harsh, typically as the result of a sore throat or of shouting

A

hoarse

51
Q

lacking concentration on what is happening

A

abstracted

52
Q

motyka

A

hoe

53
Q

sharp-pointed sword used for fencing

A

rapier

54
Q

a narrow opening, typically one that admits light: a chink in the curtains

A

chink

55
Q

mercurial

A

subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind

56
Q

entice

A

attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage: a show which should entice a new audience into the theatre

57
Q

coax

A

persuade (someone) gradually or gently to do something: the trainees were coaxed into doing boring work

English (13 decks)

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