Mistborn Era 1 Flashcards
Linchpin
noun
1. a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization.
“nurses are the linchpin of the National Health Service”
2. a pin passed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel in position.
Slovenly
adjective
(especially of a person or their appearance)
untidy and dirty.
“a fat, slovenly ex-rock star”
Pertinent
adjective
relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite.
“she asked me a lot of very pertinent questions”
Gazetteer
noun
a geographical index or dictionary.
“a gazetteer of place names of the Aegean”
Derelict
adjective
1. in a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect.
“a derelict Georgian mansion”
2. shamefully negligent of one’s duties or obligations.
“he was derelict in his duty to his country”
noun
1. a person without a home, job, or property.
“derelicts who could fit all their possessions in a paper bag”
2. a ship or other piece of property abandoned by the owner and in poor condition.
“she had been a derelict recommissioned for this journey”
Emaciated
adjective
abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.
“she was so emaciated she could hardly stand”
Adroit
adjective
clever or skilful.
“he was adroit at tax avoidance”
Accede
verb FORMAL
1. agree to a demand, request, or treaty.
“the authorities did not accede to the strikers’ demands”
2. assume an office or position.
“Elizabeth I acceded to the throne in 1558”
Ostentatious
adjective
1. attracting or seeking to attract attention, admiration, or envy often by gaudiness or obviousness.
2. overly elaborate or conspicuous.
3. characterized by, fond of, or evincing ostentation.
“an ostentatious display of wealth/knowledge”
Coronet
noun
1. a small or relatively simple crown, especially as worn by lesser royalty and peers or peeresses.
2. a ring of bone at the base of a deer’s antler.
Chagrin
noun
annoyance or distress at having failed or been humiliated.
“to my chagrin, he was nowhere to be seen”
verb
feel distressed or humiliated.
“he was chagrined when his friend poured scorn on him”
Squalor
noun
the state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect.
“they lived in squalor and disease”
Malady
noun LITERARY
1. a disease or ailment.
“an incurable malady”
2. a serious problem.
“the nation’s maladies”
Frivolous
adjective
1. not having any serious purpose or value.
“frivolous ribbons and lacy frills”
2. (of a person) carefree and superficial.
“the frivolous, fun-loving flappers of the twenties”
Placate
verb
make (someone) less angry or hostile.
“they attempted to placate the students with promises”
Overture
noun
1. an orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, play, etc.
“the overture to Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni’”
2. an introduction to something more substantial.
“the talks were no more than an overture to a long debate”
Tenuous
adjective
1. very weak or slight.
“the tenuous link between interest rates and investment”
2. very slender or fine; insubstantial.
“a tenuous cloud”
Malign
verb
speak about (someone) in a spitefully critical manner.
“don’t you dare malign her in my presence”
Levity
noun
the treatment of a serious matter with humour or lack of due respect.
“as an attempt to introduce a note of levity, the words were a disastrous flop”
Incongruity
noun
the state of being incongruous; incompatibility.
“the incongruity of his fleshy face and skinny body disturbed her”
Transient
adjective
lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
“a transient cold spell”
noun
1. a person who is staying or working in a place for a short time only.
2. a momentary variation in current, voltage, or frequency.
Merlon
noun
the solid part of a crenellated parapet between two embrasures.
Diligence
noun
careful and persistent work or effort.
“few party members challenge his diligence as an MP”
Ascribe
verb
1. regard something as being due to (a cause).
“he ascribed Jane’s short temper to her upset stomach”
2. regard a text, quotation, or work of art as being produced by or belonging to (a particular person or period).
“a quotation ascribed to Thomas Cooper”
3. regard a quality as belonging to.
“tough-mindedness is a quality commonly ascribed to top bosses”
Progeny
noun
a descendant or the descendants of a person, animal, or plant; offspring.
“shorthorn cattle are highly effective in bestowing their characteristics on their progeny”
Wanly
adverb
in a weak or pale or languid manner
“she was smiling wanly”
Smock
noun
a dress or top for a woman or girl, gathered at the chest and having a loosely fitting lower part.
verb
decorate (a garment) with smocking.
“I had smocked the little pink rosebud dress she wore”
Disposition
noun
1. a person’s inherent qualities of mind and character.
“your sunny disposition has a way of rubbing off on those around you”
2. the way in which something is placed or arranged, especially in relation to other things.
“the plan shows the disposition of the rooms”
Barrette
noun
a typically bar-shaped clip or ornament for the hair; a hairslide.
Piteous
adjective
deserving or arousing pity.
“a piteous cry”
Swatch
noun
a small sample of fabric intended to demonstrate the look of a larger piece.
“colour swatches”
verb
apply a sample of (paint, makeup, etc.) to a surface or one’s skin to test or demonstrate the colour.
“I got the polishes yesterday, and I’ve swatched them all”
Wizened
adjective
shrivelled or wrinkled with age.
“a wizened, weather-beaten old man”
Scamper
verb
(especially of a small animal or child) run with quick light steps, especially through fear or excitement.
“he scampered in like an overgrown puppy”
noun
an act of scampering.
“he heard the squeak and scamper of rats”
Bespeckle
verb
mark or cover with a large number of small spots or patches of colour.
“the designer whose trademark is to bespeckle his dresses with diamonds”
Propriety
noun
1. conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behaviour or morals.
“he always behaved with the utmost propriety”
2. the details or rules of behaviour conventionally considered to be correct.
“she’s a great one for the proprieties”
3. the condition of being right, appropriate, or fitting.
“they questioned the propriety of certain investments made by the council”
Presumptuous
adjective
(of a person or their behaviour) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.
“I hope I won’t be considered presumptuous if I offer some advice”
Prudent
adjective
acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
“no prudent money manager would authorize a loan without first knowing its purpose”
Proclivity
noun
a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition towards a particular thing.
“a proclivity for hard work”
Apprehensive
adjective
anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
“he felt apprehensive about going home”
Constitution
noun
1. a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.
“Britain lacks a codified constitution”
2. the composition of something.
“the genetic constitution of a species”
Protracted
adjective
lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual.
“a protracted and bitter dispute”
Sequester
verb
1. isolate or hide away.
“she is sequestered in deepest Dorset”
2. another term for sequestrate.
“their property was sequestered by Parliament”
noun
a general cut in government spending.
“if the budget deal hadn’t gone through, there would have been a sequester of at least $100 billion”
Prudence
noun
the quality of being prudent; cautiousness.
“we need to exercise prudence in such important matters”
Reticence
noun
the quality of being reticent; reserve.
“the traditional emotional reticence of the British”
Prattle
verb
talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way.
“she began to prattle on about her visit to the dentist”
Ostensibly
adverb
as appears or is stated to be true, though not necessarily so; apparently.
“the party secretary resigned, ostensibly from ill health”
Indignant
adjective
feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.
“he was indignant at being the object of suspicion”
Emancipated
adjective
free from legal, social, or political restrictions; liberated.
“emancipated young women”
Austere
adjective
1. severe or strict in manner or attitude.
“he was an austere man, with a rigidly puritanical outlook”
2. (of living conditions or a way of life) having no comforts or luxuries.
“conditions in the prison could hardly be more austere”
3. having a plain and unadorned appearance.
“the cathedral is impressive in its austere simplicity”
Dreary
adjective
depressingly dull and bleak or repetitive.
“the dreary round of working, eating, and trying to sleep”
Aptitude
noun
1. a natural ability to do something.
“children with an aptitude for painting and drawing”
ARCHAIC
2. suitability or fitness.
“aptitude of expression”
Ratify
verb
sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.
“both countries were due to ratify the treaty by the end of the year”
Exasperation
noun
a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance.
“she rolled her eyes in exasperation”
Incredulous
adjective
(of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something.
“an incredulous gasp”
Proliferate
verb
1. increase rapidly in number; multiply.
“the science fiction magazines which proliferated in the 1920s”
2. (of a cell, structure, or organism) reproduce rapidly.
“cultured cells often proliferate indefinitely”
3. cause (cells, tissue, structures, etc.) to reproduce rapidly.
“electromagnetic radiation can only proliferate cancers already present”
Stoop
verb
1. bend one’s head or body forwards and downwards.
“he stooped down and reached towards the coin”
2. lower one’s moral standards so far as to do something reprehensible.
“Craig wouldn’t stoop to thieving”
noun
1. a posture in which the head and shoulders are habitually bent forwards.
“a tall, thin man with a stoop”
2. the downward swoop of a bird of prey.
Recompense
verb
make amends to (someone) for loss or harm suffered; compensate.
“offenders should recompense their victims”
noun
compensation or reward given for loss or harm suffered or effort made.
“adequate recompense for workers who lose their jobs”
Ledger
noun
1. a book or other collection of financial accounts.
“the total balance of the purchases ledger”
2. a flat stone slab covering a grave.
“the ledger stone of William Averie”
verb
fish using a ledger.
Forlorn
adjective
1. pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.
“forlorn figures at bus stops”
2. (of an aim or endeavour) unlikely to succeed or be fulfilled.
“a forlorn attempt to escape”
Procession
noun
a number of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion, especially as part of a ceremony.
“a funeral procession”
THEOLOGY
the emanation of the Holy Spirit.
Carrion
noun
the decaying flesh of dead animals.
“a crow wheeled over the hills in search of carrion”
Missive
noun
OFTEN HUMOROUS
a letter, especially a long or official one.
“yet another missive from the Foreign Office”
SCOTS LAW
a document in the form of a letter exchanged by the parties to a contract.
Castigation
noun
severe criticism or harsh scolding; censure.
“The speaker segued inexplicably from a calm informational tone into a full-throated castigation of anyone and everyone associated with the administration.”
Recrimination
noun
an accusation in response to one from someone else.
“there are no tears, no recriminations”
Progenitor
noun
1. a person or thing from which a person, animal, or plant is descended or originates; an ancestor or parent.
“his children were the progenitors of many of Scotland’s noble families”
2. a person who originates a cultural or intellectual movement.
“the progenitor of modern jazz”
Acutely
adverb
1. (with reference to something unpleasant or unwelcome) intensely.
“the whole situation was acutely embarrassing”
2. in a way that shows a perceptive understanding or insight.
“we are all acutely aware of the fragility of our world”
Pedigree
noun
1. the record of descent of an animal, showing it to be pure-bred.
“they are looking for animals with pedigrees”
2. the recorded ancestry or lineage of a person or family.
“with a pedigree equal to many of the gentry”
adjective BRITISH
(of an animal) pure-bred.
“pedigree cats”
Dilapidated
adjective
(of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.
“old, dilapidated buildings”
Wryly
adverb
in a way that expresses dry, especially mocking, humour.
“he reflects wryly on his life and work”
Solemn
adjective
1. formal and dignified.
“a solemn procession”
2. not cheerful or smiling; serious.
“Tim looked very solemn”
3. characterized by deep sincerity.
“he swore a solemn oath to keep faith”
Saunter
verb
walk in a slow, relaxed manner.
“Adam sauntered into the room”
noun
a leisurely stroll.
“a quiet saunter down the road”
Congregation
noun
1. a group of people assembled for religious worship.
“the singing of psalms by the whole congregation”
2. a gathering or collection of people, animals, or things.
“large congregations of birds may cause public harm”
Precarious
adjective
1. not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.
“a precarious ladder”
2. dependent on chance; uncertain.
“he made a precarious living as a painter”
Pilfer
verb
steal (things of little value).
“she produced the handful of coins she had managed to pilfer”
Regal
adjective
of, resembling, or fit for a monarch, especially in being magnificent or dignified.
“her regal bearing”
noun MUSIC
a small portable reed organ of the 16th and 17th centuries, with a pair of horizontal bellows on top.
Exorbitant
adjective
(of a price or amount charged) unreasonably high.
“some hotels charge exorbitant rates for phone calls”
Veritable
adjective
being in fact the thing named and not false, unreal, or imaginary —often used to stress the aptness of a metaphor.
“a veritable mountain of references”
Prim
adjective
feeling or showing disapproval of anything regarded as improper; stiffly correct.
“a very prim and proper lady”
verb
purse (the mouth or lips) into a prim expression.
“Laurie primmed up his mouth”
Apprehension
noun
1. anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
“he felt sick with apprehension”
2. understanding; grasp.
“his first apprehension of such large issues”
Fraternize
verb
associate or form a friendship with someone, especially when one is not supposed to.
“she ignored Elisabeth’s warning glare against fraternizing with the enemy”
Contrite
adjective
feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong.
“a contrite tone”
Overt
adjective
done or shown openly; plainly apparent.
“an overt act of aggression”
Decorum
noun
behaviour in keeping with good taste and propriety.
“he had acted with the utmost decorum”
“he had no idea of funeral decorum”
ARCHAIC
particular requirements of good taste and propriety.
plural noun: decorums
Rebuff
verb
past tense: rebuffed; past participle: rebuffed
reject (someone or something) in an abrupt or ungracious manner.
“I asked her to be my wife, and was rebuffed in no uncertain terms”
Gusto
noun
1. enjoyment and enthusiasm in doing something.
“Hawkins tucked into his breakfast with gusto”
ARCHAIC
2. the style in which a work of art is executed.
Reverent
adjective
feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
“a reverent silence”
Indomitable
adjective
impossible to subdue or defeat.
“a woman of indomitable spirit”
Respite
noun
a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
“the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering”
verb
RARE
postpone (a sentence, obligation, etc.).
“the execution was only respited a few months”
Surly
adjective
bad-tempered and unfriendly.
“the porter left with a surly expression”
Deride
verb
express contempt for; ridicule.
“the decision was derided by environmentalists”
Despondent
adjective
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.
“she grew more and more despondent”
Faculty
noun
1. an inherent mental or physical power.
“her critical faculties”
2. a group of university departments concerned with a major division of knowledge.
“the Faculty of Arts”
Flounder
verb
1. struggle or stagger clumsily in mud or water.
“he was floundering about in the shallow offshore waters”
2. struggle mentally; show or feel great confusion.
“she floundered, not knowing quite what to say”
3. be in serious difficulty.
“many firms are floundering”
Clandestine
adjective
kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.
“she deserved better than these clandestine meetings”
Gratuitously
adverb
1. without good reason; unjustifiably.
“artefacts were gratuitously destroyed”
2. free of charge.
“his care was provided gratuitously”
Pensive
adjective
1. deeply or seriously thoughtful.
2. exhibiting or characterized by careful thought.
Pallor
noun
deficiency of color especially of the face, paleness.
“patients in hemorrhagic shock may exhibit extreme pallor”
Vocational
adjective
1. of, relating to, or concerned with a vocation.
2. of, relating to, or involved in training in a skill or trade to be followed as a care.
Attrition
noun
1. the process of reducing something’s strength or effectiveness through sustained attack or pressure.
“the council is trying to wear down the opposition by attrition”
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
2. (in scholastic theology) sorrow for sin, falling short of contrition.
Unfettered
adjective
unrestrained or uninhibited.
“unfettered artistic genius”
Supple
adjective
bending and moving easily and gracefully; flexible.
“her supple fingers”
verb
make more flexible.
Guile
noun
sly or cunning intelligence.
“he used all his guile and guts to free himself from the muddle he was in”
Stupefy
verb
1. make (someone) unable to think or feel properly.
“the offence of administering drugs to a woman with intent to stupefy her”
2. astonish and shock.
“the amount they spend on clothes would appal their parents and stupefy their grandparents”
Exult
verb
feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation.
“exulting in her escape, Lisa closed the door behind her”
Suborn
verb
bribe or otherwise induce (someone) to commit an unlawful act such as perjury.
“he was accused of conspiring to suborn witnesses”
Wallow
verb
1. (chiefly of large mammals) roll about or lie in mud or water, especially to keep cool or avoid biting insects.
“there were watering places where buffalo liked to wallow”
2. (of a person) indulge in an unrestrained way in (something that one finds pleasurable).
“I was wallowing in the luxury of the hotel”
Disillusionment
noun
a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be.
“his disillusionment with education was due to a number of factors”
Arduous
adjective
involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
“an arduous journey”
Brash
adjective
1. self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way.
“he was brash, cocky, and arrogant”
2. having an ostentatious or tasteless appearance.
“the cafe was a brash new building”
Flagrant
adjective
(of an action considered wrong or immoral) conspicuously or obviously offensive.
“a flagrant violation of the law”
Brazen
adjective
1. bold and without shame.
“he went about his illegal business with a brazen assurance”
LITERARY•ARCHAIC
2. made of brass.
“brazen fire irons”
3. endure an embarrassing or difficult situation by behaving with apparent confidence and lack of shame.
“there was nothing to do but brazen it out”
Potter
verb
1. occupy oneself in a desultory but pleasant way.
“I’m quite happy just to potter about by myself here”
2. move or go in a casual, unhurried way.
“I might potter into Nice for the day”
Consign
verb
1. deliver (something) to a person’s keeping.
“he consigned three paintings to Sotheby’s”
2. send (goods) by a public carrier.
“the package was consigned by a famous sporting goods company”
3.put someone or something in (a place) in order to be rid of it or them.
“she consigned the letter to the waste-paper basket”
Equestrian
adjective
relating to horse riding.
“his amazing equestrian skills”
noun
a rider or performer on horseback.
Dismal
adjective
1. causing a mood of gloom or depression.
“the dismal weather made the late afternoon seem like evening”
2. (of a person or their mood) gloomy.
“his dismal mood was not dispelled by finding the house empty”
INFORMAL
pitifully or disgracefully bad.
“he shuddered as he watched his team’s dismal performance”
Machination
noun
a plot or scheme.
Compel
verb
1. force or oblige (someone) to do something.
“a sense of duty compelled Harry to answer her questions”
2. bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure.
“they may compel a witness’s attendance at court by issue of a summons”
LITERARY
force to come or go in a particular direction.
“by heav’n’s high will compell’d from shore to shore”
Bivouac
noun
a temporary camp without tents or cover, used especially by soldiers or mountaineers.
verb
stay in a bivouac.
“we bivouacked on the north side of the town”
Inocualate
verb
1. immunize (someone) against a disease by introducing infective material, microorganisms, or vaccine into the body.
“most of the troops had been inoculated against anthrax”
2. introduce (an infective agent) into an organism.
“the microorganism can be inoculated into laboratory animals”
3.introduce (cells or organisms) into a culture medium.
“0.5 ml of the specimen was inoculated into each tissue culture flask”
Obstinately
adverb
1. in a way that is unreasonably determined, especially by acting in a particular way and not changing at all, despite what anyone else says.
“They remained obstinately silent.”
2. in a way that is difficult to deal with, change, or solve.
“The engine obstinately refused to start.”
Commiserate
verb
express or feel sympathy or pity; sympathize.
“she went over to commiserate with Rose on her unfortunate circumstances”
ARCHAIC
feel or express pity for (someone).
“she did not exult in her rival’s fall, but, on the contrary, commiserated her”
Flotsam
noun
1. the wreckage of a ship or its cargo found floating on or washed up by the sea.
2. people or things that have been rejected or discarded as worthless.
“the room was cleared of boxes and other flotsam”
Stymie
verb INFORMAL
prevent or hinder the progress of.
“the changes must not be allowed to stymie new medical treatments”
Portentous
adjective
1. of or like a portent; of momentous significance.
“this portentous year in Canadian history”
2. done in a pompously or overly solemn manner so as to impress.
“the author’s portentous moralizings”
Ostentation
noun
the pretentious or showy display of wealth and luxury, designed to impress.
“the office was spacious, but without any trace of ostentation”
Pastoral
adjective
1. (of land) used for the keeping or grazing of sheep or cattle.
“scattered pastoral farms”
2. (in the Christian Church) concerning or appropriate to the giving of spiritual guidance.
“pastoral and doctrinal issues”
noun
a work of literature portraying an idealized version of country life.
“the story, though a pastoral, has an actual connection with the life of agricultural labour”
Spurn
verb
reject with disdain or contempt.
“he spoke gruffly, as if afraid that his invitation would be spurned”
noun ARCHAIC
an act of spurning.
“it is a spurn of God’s sovereignty, and a slight of his goodness”
Reprimand
noun
a formal expression of disapproval.
“the golfer received a reprimand for a breach of rules”
verb
address a reprimand to.
“officials were reprimanded for poor work”
Minstrel
noun
1. a medieval singer or musician, especially one who sang or recited lyric or heroic poetry to a musical accompaniment for the nobility.
“they listened to the minstrels singing songs of knightly prowess”
2. a member of a band of entertainers, typically white actors with blackened faces, who performed in a type of stage entertainment prevalent in the US in the 19th and early 20th centuries, featuring songs, dances, and formulaic comic routines based on stereotyped depictions of African Americans.
“the exaggerated dialect of blackface minstrels”
Glib
adjective
(of words or a speaker) fluent but insincere and shallow.
“the glib phrases soon roll off the tongue”
Savant
noun
1. a very learned or talented person, especially one distinguished in a particular field of science or the arts.
“he portrayed himself as a savant and a genius”
2. a person who has an exceptional aptitude in one particular field, such as music or mathematics, despite having significant impairment in other areas of intellectual or social functioning.
“Sam has trouble interpreting social cues and facial expressions, yet he is a savant when it comes to music”
Decry
verb
publicly denounce.
“they decried human rights abuses”
Diaphanous
adjective
(especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent.
“a diaphanous dress of pale gold”
Stagnate
verb
1. (of water or air) cease to flow or move; become stagnant.
2. cease developing; become inactive or dull.
“teaching can easily stagnate into a set of routines”
Chipper
adjective INFORMAL
cheerful and lively.
“Eugene was feeling chipper”
Inordinately
adverb
to an unusually or disproportionately large degree; excessively.
“the information was inordinately vetted and censored”
Horticulture
noun
the art or practice of garden cultivation and management.
“maize and manioc horticulture”
Obfuscation
noun
the action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
“when confronted with sharp questions they resort to obfuscation”
Concentric
adjective
of or denoting circles, arcs, or other shapes which share the same centre, the larger often completely surrounding the smaller.
“concentric circles indicate distances of 1 km, 2 km, and 3 km from the centre”
Altruistic
adjective
1. relating to or given to altruism, having or showing an unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
Curtly
adverb
in a way that is very quick and slightly rude.
“Steve answered curtly and turned his back on me.”
“She nodded curtly in reply.”
Complacency
noun
a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.
“the figures are better, but there are no grounds for complacency”
Banister
noun
the structure formed by the uprights and handrail at the side of a staircase.
“he vaulted the banister”
Glean
verb
past tense: gleaned; past participle: gleaned
1. obtain (information) from various sources, often with difficulty.
“the information is gleaned from press cuttings”
HISTORICAL
2. gather (leftover grain) after a harvest.
“the conditions of farm workers in the 1890s made gleaning essential”
Consternation
noun
a feeling of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.
“to her consternation her car wouldn’t start”
Coax
verb
1. gently and persistently persuade (someone) to do something.
“the trainees were coaxed into doing boring work”
2. obtain something from (someone) by gentle and persistent persuasion.
“we coaxed our fare money out of my father”
3. arrange (something) carefully into a particular shape or position.
“her lovely hair had been coaxed into ringlets”
Inadvertently
adverb
without intention; accidentally.
“his name had been inadvertently omitted from the list”
Indictment
noun NORTH AMERICAN
1. a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.
“an indictment for conspiracy”
2. a thing that serves to illustrate that a system or situation is bad and deserves to be condemned.
“these rapidly escalating crime figures are an indictment of our society”
Balk
verb
hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking.
“he balked at such a drastic solution”
noun
1. a roughly squared timber beam.
“a balk of timber”
2. the area on a billiard table between the balk line and the bottom cushion, within which in some circumstances a ball is protected from a direct stroke.
Pander
verb
gratify or indulge (an immoral or distasteful desire or taste or a person with such a desire or taste).
“newspapers are pandering to people’s baser instincts”
Garish
adjective
obtrusively bright and showy; lurid.
“garish shirts in all sorts of colours”
Debonair
adjective
confident, stylish, and charming (typically used of a man).
“all the men looked debonair and handsome in white tie and tails”
Pernicious
adjective
having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
“the pernicious effects of air pollution”
Bemused
adjective
puzzled, confused, or bewildered.
“Lucy looked a little bemused”
Imperious
adjective
arrogant and domineering.
“his imperious demands”
Appropriation
noun
plural noun: appropriations
1. the action of appropriating something.
“dishonest appropriation of property”
2. a sum of money allocated officially for a particular use.
“success in obtaining appropriations for projects”
Impish
adjective
inclined to do slightly naughty things for fun; mischievous.
“he had an impish look about him”
Providence
noun
1. the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power.
“they found their trust in divine providence to be a source of comfort”
2. timely preparation for future eventualities.
“it was considered a duty to encourage providence”
Exacerbate
verb
make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.
“the exorbitant cost of land in urban areas only exacerbated the problem”
Cursory
adjective
hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.
“a cursory glance at the figures”
Smattering
noun
1. a slight superficial knowledge of a language or subject.
“Edward had only a smattering of Welsh”
2. a small amount of something.
plural noun: smatterings
“a smattering of snow”
Flippant
adjective
not showing a serious or respectful attitude.
“a flippant remark”
Petulent
adjective
(of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
“he was moody and petulant”
Ostracism
noun
1. exclusion from a society or group.
“the family suffered social ostracism”
2. (in ancient Greece) temporary banishment from a city by popular vote.
“the ostracism of Thucydides”
Perpetuate
verb
make (something) continue indefinitely.
“the confusion was perpetuated through inadvertence”
Detractor
noun
a person who disparages someone or something.
“the island, say its detractors, has been devoured by development”
Contrition
noun
1. the state of feeling remorseful and penitent.
“to show contrition for his crime he offered to do community service”
2. (in the Roman Catholic Church) the repentance of past sins during or after confession.
“prayers of contrition”
Ordain
verb
1. make (someone) a priest or minister; confer holy orders on.
“he was ordained a minister before entering Parliament”
2. order (something) officially.
“equal punishment was ordained for the two crimes”
Furtive
adjective
1. 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”
2. suggestive of guilty nervousness.
“the look in his eyes became furtive”
Prerogative
noun
a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class.
“in some countries, higher education is predominantly the prerogative of the rich”
adjective BRITISH•LAW
arising from the prerogative of the Crown (usually delegated to the government or the judiciary) and based in common law rather than statutory law.
“the monarch retained the formal prerogative power to appoint the Prime Minister”
Equine
adjective
relating to or affecting horses or other members of the horse family.
“equine infectious anaemia”
noun
a horse or other member of the horse family.
“they compared the behaviour of humans and equines”
Beleaguered
adjective
1. in a very difficult situation.
“the board is supporting the beleaguered director amid calls for his resignation”
2. (of a place) surrounded by armed forces aiming to capture it or force surrender; besieged.
“he led a relief force to the aid of the beleaguered city”
Purported
adjective
appearing or stated to be true, though not necessarily so; alleged.
“the purported marriage was void”
Gait
noun
1. a person’s manner of walking.
“the easy gait of an athlete”
2. the pattern of steps of a horse or dog at a particular speed.
Repast
noun FORMAL
a meal.
“a sumptuous repast”
Vestige
noun
1. a trace or remnant of something that is disappearing or no longer exists.
“the last vestiges of colonialism”
BIOLOGY
2. a part or organ of an organism which has become reduced or functionless in the course of evolution.
Chide
verb
scold or rebuke.
“she chided him for not replying to her letters”
Throes
noun
intense or violent pain and struggle, especially accompanying birth, death, or great change.
“he convulsed in his death throes”
Jell
verb NORTH AMERICAN
gerund or present participle: jelling
**1. (of a liquid or semi-liquid substance) set or become more solid.*
“she works at it all day but can’t get the jelly to jell”
2. (of a project or idea) take a definite form or begin to work well.
“he decided to do a different film that would jell at the box office”
Disconsolate
adjective
very unhappy and unable to be comforted.
“she left Fritz looking disconsolate”
Covet
verb
yearn to possess (something, especially something belonging to another).
“I covet one of their smart bags”
Brevity
noun
1. concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.
“the staff will edit manuscripts with a view to brevity and clarity”
2. shortness of time.
“the brevity of human life”
Scrutiny
noun
critical observation or examination.
“the policy came under scrutiny last month”
Quiescent
adjective
in a state or period of inactivity or dormancy.
“strikes were headed by groups of workers who had previously been quiescent”
Prevalence
noun
the fact or condition of being prevalent; commonness.
“the prevalence of obesity in adults”
Stanch
transitive verb
1. to check or stop the flowing of
“stanched her tears”
2. to stop the flow of blood from (a wound)
3. to stop or check in its course
“trying to stanch the crime wave”
3. to make watertight; stop up
ARCHAIC
4. Allay; extinguish
adjective
less common spelling of STAUNCH
1. steadfast in loyalty or principle
“a staunch friend”
2. watertight; sound
3. strongly built; substantial
Ploddingly
adverb
in a way that is slow, continuous, and not exciting.
“Most of the time, the play’s dialogue is ploddingly dull.”
Mercantile
adjective
relating to trade or commerce; commercial.
“the shift of wealth to the mercantile classes”
Diatribe
noun
a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
“a diatribe against consumerism”
Platitude
noun
a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful.
“he masks his disdain for her with platitudes about how she should believe in herself more”
Rend
verb
tear (something) into pieces.
“snapping teeth that would rend human flesh to shreds”
ARCHAIC
wrench (something) violently.
“he rent the branch out of the tree”
LITERARY
cause great emotional pain to.
“you tell me this in order to make me able to betray you without rending my heart”
Daunt
verb
make (someone) feel intimidated or apprehensive.
“some people are daunted by technology”
Endowment
noun
1. the action of endowing something or someone.
“he tried to promote the endowment of a Chair of Psychiatry”
2. a quality or ability possessed or inherited by someone.
“his natural endowments were his height and intelligence”
Tentative
adjective
1. not certain or fixed; provisional.
“a tentative conclusion”
2. done without confidence; hesitant.
“he eventually tried a few tentative steps round his hospital room”
Assuage
verb
1. make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense.
“the letter assuaged the fears of most members”
2. satisfy (an appetite or desire).
“an opportunity occurred to assuage her desire for knowledge”
Coalesce
verb
1. come together to form one mass or whole.
“the puddles had coalesced into shallow streams”
2. combine (elements) in a mass or whole.
“his idea served to coalesce all that happened into one connected whole”
Nebulous
adjective
1. in the form of a cloud or haze; hazy.
“a giant nebulous glow”
2. (of a concept) vague or ill-defined.
“nebulous concepts like quality of life”
Impetuous
adjective
1. acting or done quickly and without thought or care.
“she might live to rue this impetuous decision”
2. moving forcefully or rapidly.
“an impetuous but controlled flow of water”
Ebb
verb
1. (of tidewater) move away from the land; recede.
“the tide began to ebb”
2. (of an emotion or quality) gradually decrease.
“my enthusiasm was ebbing away”
Guttural
adjective
(of a speech sound) produced in the throat; harsh-sounding.
noun
a guttural consonant (e.g. k, g ) or other speech sound.
Sunder
verb LITERARY
split apart.
“a universe sundered ages ago in a divine war”
Patently
adverb
clearly; without doubt.
“these claims were patently false”
Temperance
noun
1. abstinence from alcoholic drink.
“Davies was a strict advocate of temperance”
2. the quality of moderation or self-restraint.
“the whole multitude of men lack temperance in their lives, either from ignorance or from want of self-control”
Bedeck
verb
decorate.
“he led us into a room bedecked with tinsel”
Swathe
noun
1. a broad strip or area of something.
“vast swathes of countryside”
2. a row or line of grass, corn, or other crop as it falls or lies when mown or reaped.
“if the day is windy, the swathes should be high and narrow”
Burgeon
verb
begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.
“the city’s suburbs have burgeoned, sprawling out from the centre”
noun ARCHAIC•LITERARY
a bud or young shoot.
Dais
noun
a low platform for a lectern or throne.
Ascertain
verb
find (something) out for certain; make sure of.
“an attempt to ascertain the cause of the accident”
Ramification
noun
1. a complex or unwelcome consequence of an action or event.
“any change is bound to have legal ramifications”
2. a subdivision of a complex structure or process.
“an extended family with its ramifications of neighbouring in-laws”
FORMAL•TECHNICAL
3. the action of ramifying or the state of being ramified.
“a coronary angiogram showed ramification of the right coronary artery close to the ostium”
Lethargic
adjective
1. of, relating to, or characterized by laziness or lack of energy; feeling or affected by lethargy; SLUGGISH.
“The patient was weak and lethargic.”
2. INDIFFERENT, APATHETIC.
“The legislature was lethargic in considering the bill.”
Exulting
adjective
feeling or showing elation or jubilation.
“he gave an exulting cry”
noun
the feeling or expression of elation or jubilation.
“no one had ever told her that exulting and dancing were childish things”
Abrasive
adjective
1. (of a substance or material) capable of polishing or cleaning a hard surface by rubbing or grinding.
“the wood should be rubbed down with fine abrasive paper”
2. showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh.
“her abrasive and arrogant personal style won her few friends”
noun
a substance used for grinding, polishing, or cleaning a hard surface.
“the refrigerator is easily damaged by abrasives”
Tidings
noun
LITERARY•ARCHAIC
1. news; information.
“the bearer of glad tidings”
RARE
2. a flock of magpies.
“a tiding of magpies perch in the low pines”
Cloven
verb
past participle of cleave.
adjective
split or divided in two.
Verdant
adjective
1. (of countryside) green with grass or other rich vegetation.
“verdant valleys”
2. of the bright green colour of lush grass.
“a deep, verdant green”
Deliberate
adjective
1. done consciously and intentionally.
“a deliberate attempt to provoke conflict”
2. careful and unhurried.
“a conscientious and deliberate worker”
verb
engage in long and careful consideration.
“she deliberated over the menu”
Coy
adjective
1. making a pretence of shyness or modesty that is intended to be alluring (typically used of a woman).
“she treated him to a coy smile of invitation”
2. reluctant to give details about something regarded as sensitive.
“he is coy about his age”
Exacting
adjective
making great demands on one’s skill, attention, or other resources.
“the exacting standards laid down by the organic food industry”
Conniving
adjective
given to or involved in conspiring to do something immoral, illegal, or harmful.
“a heartless and conniving person”
Laud
verb FORMAL
praise (a person or their achievements) highly.
“the obituary lauded him as a great statesman and soldier”
noun ARCHAIC
praise.
“all glory, laud, and honour to Thee Redeemer King”
Voracious
adjective
1. wanting or devouring great quantities of food.
“a voracious appetite”
2. engaging in an activity with great eagerness or enthusiasm.
“she’s a voracious reader”
Refute
verb
1. prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove.
“these claims have not been convincingly refuted”
2. prove that (someone) is wrong.
“his voice challenging his audience to rise and refute him”
3. deny or contradict (a statement or accusation).
“a spokesman totally refuted the allegation of bias”
Inchoate
adjective
1. just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary.
“a still inchoate democracy”
LAW
2. (of an offence, such as incitement or conspiracy) anticipating or preparatory to a further criminal act.
Navigable
adjective
1. (of a waterway or sea) able to be sailed on by ships or boats.
“a navigable channel”
2. (of a website) easy to move around in.
“the use of white space can help make your mobile-optimized site clearer and more navigable”
Congeal
verb
1. become semi-solid, especially on cooling.
“the blood had congealed into blobs”
2. take shape or coalesce, especially to form a satisfying whole.
“the ballet failed to congeal as a single oeuvre”
Permeate
verb
spread throughout (something); pervade.
“the aroma of soup permeated the air”
Divergent
adjective
1. tending to be different or develop in different directions.
“divergent interpretations”
MATHEMATICS
2. (of a series) increasing indefinitely as more of its terms are added.
Inscurtable
adjective
impossible to understand or interpret.
“Guy looked blankly inscrutable”
Ephemeral
adjective
lasting for a very short time.
“fashions are ephemeral: new ones regularly drive out the old”
noun
an ephemeral plant.
“ephemerals avoid the periods of drought as seeds”
