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Vocabulary > May Vocabulary > Flashcards

May Vocabulary Flashcards

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1
Q

laudanum

A

an alcoholic solution containing morphine, prepared from opium, and formerly used as a narcotic painkiller.

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2
Q

invariably

A

in every case or on every occasion

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3
Q

hireling

A
  • a person employed to undertake menial work

- a person who works only for material reward

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4
Q

devolve

A

transfer or delegate power to a lower level

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5
Q

moiety

A

each of two parts into which a thing is or can be divided

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6
Q

sanguine

A

optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation

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7
Q

propriety

A

the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behaviors or morals

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8
Q

caricature

A

a picture, description, or imitation of a person or thing in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect

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9
Q

disposition

A

a person’s inherent qualities of mind and character

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10
Q

prudent

A

acting with or showing care and thought for the future.

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11
Q

sensibility

A

the ability to appreciate and respond to complex emotional or aesthetic influences

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12
Q

imbibe

A

drink (alcohol)

-absorb or assimilate ideas or knowledge

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13
Q

smolder

A
  • burn slowly with smoke but no flame
  • show or feel barely suppressed anger, hatred, etc
  • exist in suppressed or concealed state
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14
Q

buffet

A
  • strike repeatedly and violently
  • knock someone off course
  • afflict or harm someone repeatedly over long time
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15
Q

encampment

A

a place with temporary accommodations consisting of tents or huts

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16
Q

riotous

A
  • marked by or involving public disorder; characterized by wild and uncontrolled behavior
  • having a vivid, varied appearance
  • hilariously funny
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17
Q

sprawl

A

sit, lie, or fall with one’s arms and legs spread out in an ungainly or awkward way

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18
Q

unfazed

A

not disconcerted or perturbed

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19
Q

clamber

A

climb, move, or get in or out of something in an awkward and laborious way

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20
Q

vicissitude

A

a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant

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21
Q

mellifluous

A

sweet or musical; pleasant to hear

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22
Q

tumbril

A

an open cart that tilted backward to empty out its load

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23
Q

alloy

A

a metal made by combining two or more metallic elements

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24
Q

indecorous

A

not in keeping with good taste and propriety; improper

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25
Q

firmament

A

the heavens or the sky; a sphere of people

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26
Q

indefatigable

A

persisting tiredlessly

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27
Q

diffident

A

modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence

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28
Q

barouche

A

a four wheeled horse drawn carriage

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29
Q

cur

A

an agressive or unkempt dog

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30
Q

sullen

A

bad-tempered and sulky

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31
Q

elude

A

escape from or avoid, typically in a skillful or cunning way

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32
Q

bewilder

A

cause someone to become perplexed and confused

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33
Q

agrarian

A

of or relating to cultivated land or the cultivation of land.

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34
Q

xenophobia

A

intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries

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35
Q

philodendron

A

a tropical american climbing plant that is widely grown as a greenhouse or indoor plant

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36
Q

slapstick

A

comedy based on deliberately clumsy actions and humorously embarrassing events

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37
Q

anvil

A

a heavy steel or iron block with a flat top, concave sides, and typically a pointed end, on which metal can be hammered and shaped

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38
Q

spurn

A

reject with disdain or contempt

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39
Q

pensive

A

engaged in, involved, or reflecting deep or serious thought

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40
Q

sunder

A

split apart

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41
Q

spangle

A

a small thin piece of glittering material, typically used in quantity to ornament a dress; a sequin

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42
Q

presentiment

A

an intuitive feeling about the future, especially one of foreboding

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43
Q

eclat

A

brilliant display or effect

-social distinction or conspicuous success

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44
Q

penurious

A

extremely poor; poverty stricken

-parsimonious; mean

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45
Q

poignant

A

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret

46
Q

anodyne

A

not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive

47
Q

saunter

A

walk in a slow, relaxed manner, without hurry or effort

-a leisurely stroll

48
Q

bobolink

A

a north american songbird of the american blackbird family

49
Q

tailsome

A

involving hard or tedious work

50
Q

circumspect

A

wary and unwilling to take risks

51
Q

sagacious

A

having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement; shrewd

52
Q

portentous

A

of or like a portent

-done in a pompously or over solemn manner so as to impress

53
Q

inviolable

A

never to be broken, infringed, or dishonored

54
Q

notoriety

A

the state of being famous or well known for some bad quality or deed

55
Q

exigency

A

an urgent need or demand

56
Q

beryl

A

a transparent pale green, blue, or yellow mineral consisting of a silicate of beryllium and aluminum

57
Q

repudiate

A

refuse to accept or be associated with

-deny the truth or validity of

58
Q

balk

A
  • hesitant or unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking
  • thwart or hinder (a plan or person)
  • prevent a person or animal from having something
59
Q

circumvent

A

find a way around; overcome

60
Q

reticent

A

not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily

61
Q

stalactite

A

a tapering structure hanging like an icicle from the root of a cave

62
Q

soliloquy

A

an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers

63
Q

subterfuge

A

deceit used in order to achieve one’s goals

64
Q

syntax

A

the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language

65
Q

coterie

A

a small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people

66
Q

ambuscade

A

an ambush

67
Q

brier

A

any of a number of prickly scrambling shrubs

68
Q

damask

A

a figured woven fabric with a pattern visible on both sides

69
Q

badinage

A

humorous or witty conversation

70
Q

emolument

A

a salary, fee, or profit from employment or office

71
Q

plume

A

a long, soft feather or arrangement of feathers used by a bird for display or worn by a person for ornament

72
Q

bereave

A

be deprived of a love one through a profound absence, especially due to the loved one’s death

73
Q

cochineal

A

a scarlet dye used chiefly for coloring food

74
Q

avowedly

A
  1. To acknowledge or declare openly and unashamedly: avowed their faith in the electoral process.
  2. To state positively; declare: “Various church councils have avowed that evolution poses no threat to supernatural belief” (Frederick C. Crews).
75
Q

stolidity

A

Having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; impassive: “the incredibly massive and stolid bureaucracy of the Soviet system” (John Kenneth Galbraith).

76
Q

dilettantism

A
  1. One who dabbles in an art or a field of knowledge.
  2. Archaic A lover of the fine arts.
    adj.
77
Q

impasse

A

a situation in which no progress seems possible

78
Q

dovetailed

A

a type of joint that is used to connect two pieces of wood together

79
Q

decadence

A

behavior that shows low morals and a great love of pleasure, money, fame, etc.

80
Q

claqueurs

A

a member of: : a group hired to applaud at a performance
2
: a group of sycophants

81
Q

svelte

A

thin in an attractive or graceful way

82
Q

vociferously

A

expressing feelings or opinions in a very loud or forceful way : expressed in a very loud or forceful way

83
Q

virility

A

having or suggesting qualities (such as strength and sexual energy) that are associated with men and that are usually considered attractive in men

84
Q

amuck

A

a murderous frenzy that has traditionally been regarded as occurring especially in Malaysian culture

85
Q

metier

A

something that a person does very well

86
Q

cloistered

A

a place where monks or nuns live : a monastery or convent
: a covered path or hall with arches that is on the side of a building (such as a monastery or church) and that has one open side usually facing a courtyard

87
Q

regaled

A

: to entertain sumptuously : feast with delicacies
2
: to give pleasure or amusement to

88
Q

pedantic

A

: of, relating to, or being a pedant(see pedant)
2
: narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned
3
: unimaginative, dull

89
Q

coy

A

having a shy or sweetly innocent quality that is often intended to be attractive or to get attention
: not telling or revealing all the information that could be revealed

90
Q

defunct

A

no longer existing or being used

91
Q

prig

A

thief

92
Q

calisthenics

A

physical exercises that are done without special equipment

93
Q

preponderant

A

greater in number, force, or importance

94
Q

dearth

A

the state or condition of not having enough of something

95
Q

puerile

A

silly or childish especially in a way that shows a lack of seriousness or good judgment

96
Q

guilelessly

A

very innocent

97
Q

append

A

: attach, affix
2
: to add as a supplement or appendix (as in a book)

98
Q

immemorial

A

: very old or ancient : from a time so long ago that it cannot be remembered

99
Q

ripply

A

to move in small waves

: to pass or spread through or over (someone or something)

100
Q

prosy

A

lacking in qualities that seize the attention or strike the imagination : commonplace; especially : tediously dull in speech or manner

101
Q

prosaic

A

a : characteristic of prose as distinguished from poetry : factual
b : dull, unimaginative
2
: everyday, ordinary

102
Q

indignantly

A

feeling or showing anger because of something that is unfair or wrong : very angry

103
Q

pallor

A

paleness especially of the face that is caused by illness

104
Q

priggish

A

thiefish

105
Q

virile

A

having or suggesting qualities (such as strength and sexual energy) that are associated with men and that are usually considered attractive in men

106
Q

sardonically

A

showing that you disapprove of or do not like someone or something : showing disrespect or scorn for someone or something

107
Q

divan

A

: a long, low seat that has no back or arms or only part of a back and one arm
: a bed that has a thick base and usually no footboard

108
Q

cornice

A

the decorative top edge of a building or column

: a decorative strip of wood or some other material used at the top of the walls in a room

109
Q

turbid

A

of a liquid : not clean or clear : cloudy or muddy

110
Q

torrents

A

: a large amount of water that moves very quickly in one direction
: a large amount of something that is released suddenly

Vocabulary (6 decks)

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