Magoosh Basic - V Flashcards
travail
noun: an unpleasant experience or situation, especially one that involves a lot of hard work or effort:
While they experienced nothing but travails in refinishing the kitchen, they completed the master bedroom in less than a weekend.
reservation
noun: a doubt or feeling of not being able to agree with or accept something completely:
example: Workers and employees shared deep reservations about the wisdom of the government’s plans for the industry.
- He accepted my advice without reservation.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
tarnish
verb: make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
Pete Rose was one of the best baseball players of his generation, but his involvement with gambling on baseball games has tarnished his image in the eyes of many.
goad
verb: to make a person or an animal react or do something by continuously annoying or upsetting them:
Doug did not want to enter the race, but Jim, through a steady stream of taunts, goaded him into signing up for it.
candidness
noun: the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
Although I was unhappy that the relationship ended, I appreciated her candidness about why she was ready to move on from the relationship.
taxing
adjective: difficult or needing a lot of thought or effort:
The hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney was so taxing that I could barely speak or stand up.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
pastoral
adjective: relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense
Those who imagine America’s countryside as a pastoral region are often disappointed to learn that much of rural U.S. is filled with cornfields extending as far as the eye can see.
tout
verb: to advertise, talk about, or praise something or someone repeatedly, especially as a way of encouraging people to like, accept, or buy something:
At the conference, the CEO touted the extraordinary success of his company’s Research & Development division.
unprecedented
adjective: having never been done or known before; novel
When America first created its national parks, the idea of setting aside the most beautiful land in a country was unprecedented in the history of mankind.
complacent
adjective: feeling so satisfied with your own abilities or situation that you feel you do not need to try any harder:
After the water polo team won their sixth championship, they became complacent and didn’t even make it to the playoffs the next year.
foible
noun: a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
When their new roommate sat staring at an oak tree for an hour, Marcia thought it indicated a mental problem, but Jeff assured her it was a harmless foible.
placid
adjective: not easily irritated
Doug is normally placid, so we were all shocked to see him yelling at the television when the Mets lost the game.
maxim
noun: a short saying expressing a general truth
Johnson initially suggests that the secret to business can be summarized in a single maxim but then requires a 300-page book to explain exactly what he means.
connive
verb: taking part in immoral and unethical plots
With the help of the prince, the queen connived to overthrow the king.
credulity
noun: tendency to believe readily
Virginia’s wide-eyed credulity as a five-year old was replaced by suspicion after she learned that Santa Claus didn’t really exist.
steadfast
adjective: marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
A good captain needs to be steadfast, continuing to hold the wheel and stay the course even during the most violent storm.
diligent
adjective: characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks
Michael was a diligent gardener, never leaving a leaf on the ground and regularly watering each plant.
elude
verb:
- If a fact or idea eludes you, you do not succeed in understanding it, realizing it, or remembering it.
- If something that you want eludes you, you fail to obtain it.
While some physics concepts might elude newbies, with a little grit and a good teacher, almost anyone can develop a deep understanding of the subject.
malevolent
adjective: causing or wanting to cause harm or evil:
Villains are known for their malevolent nature, oftentimes inflicting cruelty on others just for enjoyment.
rash
adjective: careless or unwise, without thought for what might happen or result:
Although Bruce was able to make the delivery in time with a nighttime motorcycle ride in the rain, Susan criticized his actions as rash.
serene
adjective: calm and peaceful
I’d never seen him so serene; usually, he was a knot of stress and anxiety from hours of trading on the stock exchange.
smug
adjective: marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
When Phil was dating the model, he had a smug attitude that annoyed his buddies.
devolve
verb: pass on or delegate to another
The company was full of managers known for devolving tasks to lower management, but never doing much work themselves.
verb: grow worse (usually “devolve into”)
The dialogue between the two academics devolved into a downright bitter argument.
collusion
noun: agreement between people to act together secretly or illegally in order to deceive or cheat someone:
It is thought that they worked in collusion with the terrorist network.
squander
verb: spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunity
Fearing his money would be squandered by his family, he gave all of it to charity when he died.
impregnable
adjective: immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
As a child, Amy would build pillow castles and pretend they were impregnable fortresses.
enmity
noun: a state of deep-seated ill-will
The rude remark Charles made toward Sarah yesterday was due to his illness, not due to any real enmity toward Sarah.
convoluted
adjective: highly complex or intricate
Instead of solving the math problem in three simple steps, Kumar used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps.
discord
noun: lack of agreement or harmony
Despite all their talented players, the team was filled with discord–some players refused to talk to others–and lost most of their games.
ploy
noun: a clever plan to turn a situation to one’s advantage
There are various ploys we can use if necessary.
exemplify
verb: to be or give a typical example of something:
example: This painting perfectly exemplifies the naturalistic style which was so popular at the time.
derogative
adjective: showing strong disapproval and not showing respect:
Never before have we seen a debate between two political candidates that was so derogative and filthy.
savvy
noun: good understanding and practical knowledge of something.
Although a great CEO, he did not have the political savvy to win the election.
adjective: show a lot of practical knowledge.
With his savvy business partner, the company was able to turn a profit within a year.
irk
verb: irritate or vex
My little sister has a way of irking and annoying me like no other person.
destitute
adjective: Someone who is destitute has no money or possessions.
example: …destitute children who live on the streets.
aphoristic
adjective: realting to aphorism (aphorism = a short clever saying that is intended to express a general truth: )
Sometimes I can’t stand Nathan because he tries to impress everyone by being aphoristic, but he just states the obvious.
perturb
verb: to worry someone:
Now that Henry is recovering from a major illness, he no longer lets the little trivialities, such as late mail, perturb him.
obstinate
adjective: unreasonably determined, especially to act in a particular way and not to change at all, despite what anyone else says:
The coach suggested improvements Sarah might make on the balance beam, but she remained obstinate, unwilling to modify any of the habits that made her successful in the past.
tact
noun: the ability to say or do the right thing without making anyone unhappy or angry:
He’s never had much tact, and people don’t like his blunt manner
retract
verb: pull inward or towards a center; to take back an offer or statement, etc. or admit that a statement was false:
Email is wonderfully efficient, but once something awkward or damaging has been sent, there is no way to retract it.
exasperate
verb: to make someone very annoyed, usually when they can do nothing to solve a problem
As a child, I exasperated my mother with strings of never-ending questions.
unseemly
adjective: not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
He acted in an unseemly manner, insulting the hostess and then speaking ill of her deceased husband.
eke
verb: to use something slowly or carefully because you only have a small amount of it:
There wasn’t much food left, but we just managed to eke it out.
leery
adjective: not trusting someone or something and usually avoiding him, her, or it if possible:
Without checking his references and talking to previous employers, I am leery of hiring the candidate.
peevish
adjective: easily irritated or annoyed
Our office manager is peevish, so the rest of us tip-toe around him, hoping not to set off another one of his fits.
brusquely
adverb: in a blunt, direct manner
Not one for social pleasantries, the Chief of Staff would brusquely ask his subordinates for anything he wanted, even coffee.
quip
noun: a humorous and clever remark:
In one of the most famous quips about classical music, Mark Twain said: “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds.”
verb: to make a quip
When an old English teacher criticized Churchill for ending a sentence with a preposition, he quipped, “This is the kind of criticism up with which we will not put!”
presumption
noun: an assumption that is taken for granted
When Mr. Baker found out the family car was gone, he acted under the presumption that his rebellious son had taken the car, calling his son’s phone and yelling at him; only later did Mr. Baker realize that Mrs. Baker had simply gone out to get her nails done.
impending
adjective: close in time; about to occur
The impending doom of our world has been discussed and debated for 2000 years—maybe even longer.
embellish
verb: make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; make more beautiful
McCartney would write relatively straightforward lyrics, and Lennon would embellish them with puns and poetic images.
