literature vocab 4 Flashcards
1
Q
complicit
A
involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong e.g. the careers of those complicit in the sexist propaganda were blighted (harmed, destroyed)
2
Q
paradigm
A
a typical example or pattern of something e.g. society’s paradigm of the ‘ideal woman’.
3
Q
pester
A
trouble or annoy (someone) with frequent or persistent requests or interruptions: she constantly pestered him with telephone calls.
4
Q
percolate
A
- (of a liquid or gas) filter gradually through a porous surface or substance: the water percolating through the soil or coffee in the percolator
- full of lively activity or excitement: the night was percolating with an expectant energy.
5
Q
grievous
A
very severe or serious
e.g. his death was a grievous blow | the American fleet suffered grievous losses.
6
Q
a typical example or pattern of something
A
paradigm
7
Q
rebuke
A
express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behaviour or actions: she had rebuked him for drinking too much | the judge publicly rebuked the jury.
2. also reprimand or scold
8
Q
defiant
[de-fay-nt]
A
showing open resistance; bold disobedience e.g. the demonstration was held in defiance of official warnings.
(Someone who is defiant is bold, even in the face of defeat. A defiant person is usually fighting a powerful enemy. People who protest in countries controlled by dictators are defiant. Rosa Parks was defiant when she refused to give up her seat on the bus, even though the law at that time dictated that black people had to stand when whites needed a seat.)
9
Q
foreboding
[noun/adj.]
A
[noun] a feeling that something bad will happen; fearful apprehension: with a sense of foreboding she read the note.
[adjective] implying that something bad is going to happen: when the Doctor spoke, his voice was dark and foreboding.
10
Q
involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong
A
complicit
11
Q
trouble or annoy (someone) with frequent or persistent requests or interruptions
A
pester
12
Q
stocky
A
(body) short, broad and sturdily built
13
Q
to be as thick as thieves
A
close friends
14
Q
As thick as two short planks
A
be exceedingly stupid
15
Q
- (of a liquid or gas) filter gradually through a porous surface or substance
- full of lively activity or excitement
A
percolate
16
Q
very severe or serious
A
grevious
17
Q
impinge
A
- intrude (think of it as moving in on someone’s territory)
2. affect negatively e.g. several factors impinge on market efficiency.
18
Q
heresy
A
belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine
2. opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted: the heresy of being uncommitted to the right political dogma.
19
Q
profound
A
very great or intense
20
Q
apprehension
[3 meanings]
A
- anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen
- understanding; grasp e.g. his first apprehension of such large issues
- the capture of a criminal
21
Q
to quail
A
feel fear or apprehension
22
Q
beget
A
to cause, bring about, generate (usually children) or metaphorically e.g. an inspiration can beget a brilliant idea.
23
Q
sentient
A
able to perceive or feel things e.g. sentient creatures
24
Q
(body) short, broad and sturdily built
A
stocky
25
express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behaviour or actions
2. reprimand or scold
rebuke
26
showing open resistance; bold disobedience
defiant
| [de-fay-nt]
27
1. [noun] a feeling that something bad will happen; fearful apprehension
2. [adjective] implying that something bad is going to happen
foreboding
| [noun/adj.]
28
close friends
| [phrase]
as thick as thieves
29
to cause, bring about, generate (usually children) or metaphorically
beget
30
1. anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen
2. understanding
3. the capture of a criminal
apprehension
31
able to perceive or feel things
sentient
32
feel fear or apprehension
to quail
33
very great or intense
profound
34
belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine
2. opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted
heresy
35
1. intrude (think of it as moving in on someone’s territory)
| 2. affect negatively
impinge (on/upon)
36
quirky
unconventional and with a strange mix of traits that somehow end up being kind of interesting or charming.
- [informal terms] strikingly unconventional
e. g. Your friend with the pink hair, the excellent vocabulary, and the totally inappropriate wit
37
precocious
having developed skills or inclinations at an earlier age than is expected
e.g. children beyond their years in skill or knowledge
38
preposterous
contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous
39
dishevelled
(of a person's hair, clothes, or appearance) untidy; disordered: a man with long dishevelled hair.
40
fretful
nervous and unable to relax
41
bluster
1. strong wind or to blow hard
| 2. act in an arrogant, overly self-assured manner especially with false confidence (e.g. i will beat you!)
42
conceited
excessively proud
| vain
43
unconventional and with a strange mix of traits that somehow end up being kind of interesting or charming
quirky
44
grope
search blindly or uncertainly by feeling with the hands
45
smug
showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements
46
atrocity
act of outrageous cruelty, inhumanity
47
audacity
1. willingness to take daring, bold - and perhaps reckless - risks
2. impertinent, rude behavior e.g. she had the audacity to ask me …
48
having developed skills or inclinations at an earlier age than is expected
precocious
49
nervous and unable to relax
fretful
50
contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous
preposterous
51
(of a person's hair, clothes, or appearance) untidy
dishevelled
52
search blindly or uncertainly by feeling with the hands
grope
53
excessively proud
| vain
conceited
54
1. strong wind or to blow hard
| 2. act in an arrogant, overly self-assured manner especially with false confidence (e.g. i will beat you!)
bluster
55
showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements
smug
56
act of outrageous cruelty, inhumanity
atrocity
57
1. willingness to take daring, bold - and perhaps reckless - risks
2. impertinent, rude behavior
audacity
58
subside
1. become less intense, violent, or severe
2. (subside in/into) give way to (an overwhelming feeling, especially laughter): Anthony and Mark subsided into mirth.
3. sink, go down
59
aggrieved
anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment
(if the word "indignated" existed, this would be it)
60
conviction
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
61
hubris
excessive pride or confidence
62
rangy
tall and slim with long, slender limbs: the rangy, untidy figure of the young magician.
63
gawky
nervously awkward and ungainly e.g. a lanky person
64
strangle
1. [v.] škrtiť
2. [adj.] strangled - sounding as though the throat is constricted e.g. a strangled gasp
3. [v.] suppress a sound or action e.g. to strangle a sob
4. [v.] hinder or hamper development or activity e.g. they allowed bureaucracy to strangle creativity
65
hinder
to block or put something in the way; be an obstacle to.
| make it difficult for someone to do something.
66
hamper
1. [v.] delay or prevent progress (but not shut down completely) e.g. driving a car during bad weather
2. [noun] a picnic basket with a cover
67
impede
delay or prevent by obstruction; hinder
68
stampede
1. [noun] a panicked rush of animals such as cattle
2. [v. without obj.] move rapidly in a mass e.g. during Christmas, desperate parents stampede the mall
3. [v. with obj.] cause to run rapidly in a mass e.g. the raiders stampeded 200 mules
69
addled
unable to think clearly (humorous) e.g. love addles you / addled by love
70
excessive pride or confidence
hubris
71
1. become less intense, violent, or severe
2. give way to an overwhelming feeling, especially laughter
3. sink, go down
subside
72
anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment
(if the word "indignated" existed, this would be it)
aggrieved
73
nervously awkward and ungainly e.g. a lanky person
gawky
74
1. [v.] škrtiť
2. [adj.] sounding as though the throat is constricted e.g. a strangled gasp
3. [v.] suppress a sound or action
4. [v.] hinder or hamper development or activity
strangle
75
tall and slim with long, slender limbs
rangy
76
scrawny
unattractively skinny and bony - an animal, a tree, a person (insulting)
77
ominous
giving the worrying impression that something bad is going to happen e.g. there were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead.
78
auspicious
promising to success; favourable
| opposite: inauspicious
79
to block or put something in the way; be an obstacle to.
| make it difficult for someone to do something.
hinder
80
unable to think clearly (humorous)
addled
81
1. [v.] delay or prevent progress (but not shut down completely) e.g. driving a car during bad weather
2. [noun] a basket with a cover for a picnic
hamper
82
delay or prevent by obstruction; hinder
impede
83
1. [noun] a panicked rush of animals such as cattle
2. [v. without obj.] move rapidly in a mass
3. [v. with obj.] cause to run rapidly in a mass
stampede
84
frivolity
lack of seriousness; clownish light-heartedness
85
yelp
| [n./v.]
a short, sharp cry, especially of pain or alarm
| to yelp = utter a yelp
86
quarry
1. animal's prey or a chased/pursued person
| 2. a stone excavation (surface or a deep pit) (verb = extract from a quarry)
87
cobble
1. a stone in old pavements
| 2. to repair or mend
88
reprimand
| [n./v.]
1. a formal expression of disapproval.
| 2. to rebuke formally
89
admonitory
giving a scolding warning or reprimand e.g. she raised her admonitory finger at her child.
90
sliver
| [n./v.]
'trieska'
| a small and thin fragment of something larger e.g. cheese, wood, metal
91
vermin
animals considered as an agricultural harm
| škodcovia
92
1. animal's prey or a chased/pursued person
| 2. a stone excavation (surface or a deep pit) (verb = extract from a quarry)
quarry
93
forestall
| [fore-stol]
```
act in advance of (someone) in order to prevent them from doing something e.g. he would have spoken but David forestalled him.
// stall means delay or stop from progress
```
94
deteriorate
become progressively worse
95
1. a formal expression of disapproval.
| 2. to rebuke formally
reprimand
96
1. a stone in old pavements
| 2. to repair or mend
cobble
97
[adj.] giving a scolding warning or reprimand or reproach
admonitory
98
reproach
express a disapproval or a disappointment in someone
99
'trieska'
| a small and thin fragment of something larger e.g. cheese, wood, metal
sliver
100
animals considered as an agricultural harm
| škodcovia
vermin
101
relapse
(of a sick or injured person) return to a worse state after improvement
102
reminiscence
a memory, or the act of recovering it
103
obnoxious
extremely unpleasant or annoying e.g. a smell or a person
104
act in advance of (someone) in order to prevent them from doing something
forestall
| [fore-stol]
105
become progressively worse
deteriorate
106
implicit
suggested or understood though not directly expressed e.g. comments seen as implicit criticism
107
scathe
| [n./v.]
to harm or injure
| a harm or injury
108
eloquent
readily expressed, effective, fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing: an eloquent speech.
109
slither
| [v.]
move smoothly over a surface with a twisting or oscillating motion e.g. a snake
110
(of a sick or injured person) return to a worse state after improvement
relapse
111
extremely unpleasant or annoying e.g. a smell or a person
obnoxious
112
a memory, or the act of recovering it
reminiscence
113
suggested or understood though not directly expressed
implicit
114
to harm or injure
| a harm or injury
scathe
115
gripe
| [n./v.]
to complain
| a complaint
116
ail
afflict or trouble the mind or body e.g. exercise is good for whatever ails one.
117
readily expressed, effective, fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing
eloquent
118
move smoothly over a surface with a twisting or oscillating motion e.g. a snake
slither
119
torpor
mental or physical inactivity
120
finicky
(of a person) Picky or fussy about their needs or requirements, esp. food.
Someone pointlessly precise and hard to please
121
petty
of little importance, trivial
122
frigid
very cold in temperature or behaviour (unfriendly, contemptuous)
123
withhold
1. refuse to give (something that is due or desired by another)
2. (emotion) suppress or hold back
124
unprecedented
never done, experienced or known before
125
to complain
| a complaint
gripe
| [n./v.]
126
afflict or trouble the mind or body e.g. exercise is good for whatever ails one.
ail
127
precinct
an enclosed or clearly defined area e.g. pedestrian precinct or police precinct
128
fray
unravel or wear away, typically through constant rubbing e.g. cheap fabric soon frays.
2. intense competition; battle or fight
129
mental or physical inactivity
torpor
130
of little importance, trivial
petty
131
(of a person) Picky or fussy about their needs or requirements, esp. food.
Someone pointlessly precise and hard to please
finicky
132
very cold in temperature or behaviour (unfriendly, contemptuous)
frigid
133
1. refuse to give (something that is due or desired by another)
2. (emotion) suppress or hold back
withhold
134
endeavour
[v.] try hard, strive for something
| [n.] 1. an attempt to achieve a goal 2. prolonged and earnest effort
135
an enclosed or clearly defined area e.g. pedestrian precinct or police precinct
precinct
136
never done, experienced or known before
unprecedented
137
1. unravel or wear away, typically through constant rubbing
| 2. intense competition; battle or fight
fray
138
to baulk
[no obj.] hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea e.g. he baulked at such a drastic solution
[ with obj. ] thwart or hinder (a plan or person): he raised every objection he could to baulk this plan.
139
thwart
1. prevent (someone) from accomplishing something, hinder
2. oppose (a plan or attempt) successfully e.g. the government thwarted all attempts by opposition leaders to form new parties
140
albeit
though
141
expend
spend or use up (a resource such as money or energy)
142
intermittent
occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady e.g. intermittent rain.
143
renounce
to officially give up or turn away from
| e.g. people on a diet usually renounce pizza and chocolate OR he renounced his claim to the throne
144
tenet
a main principle or belief of a religion or philosophy
145
impecunious
having little or no money
146
1. prevent (someone) from accomplishing something, hinder
| 2. oppose (a plan or attempt) successfully
thwart
147
[no obj.] hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea
| [ with obj. ] thwart or hinder (a plan or person)
to baulk
148
though [synonym]
albeit
149
occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady
intermittent
150
spend or use up (a resource such as money or energy)
expend
151
dismay
concern, fear and distress caused by something unexpected: to his dismay, she left him.
152
appal
greatly horrify or dismay e.g. bankers are appalled at the economic incompetence of some ministers
153
to officially give up or turn away from
renounce
154
a main principle or belief of a religion or philosophy
tenet
155
having little or no money
impecunious
