MORE VOCAB Flashcards
despot
a ruler with absolute power, typically cruel or oppressive
malign
evil in nature; malevolent OR speak about someone in a hateful manner
indignant
feeling or showing anger/annoyance about unfair treatment
munificent
(of a gift of money) larger or more generous than is necessary
mendacious
not telling the truth
ersatz
inferior substitute good; not real or genuine
mimetic
practicing representation/imitation of the real world
clandestine
kept secret, done secretively
solipsism
the theory that only one’s mind is sure to exist
sophomoric
pretentious, juvenile
cabal
a secret political clique or faction
incendiary
designed to cause fires (of a device or attack)
parochial
having a narrow outlook; relating to a church parish
dulcet
sweet and soothing (of a sound, often ironically)
facile
superficial; appearing comprehensive only by ignoring true complexities
officious
assertive of authority in an annoying way; interfering
poultice
a soft material applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth
foible
a minor weakness in someone’s personality
mores
the essential conventions of a community
peccadillo
a small, unimportant sin or offense
prescient
having knowledge of events before they take place
insidious
gradually harmful; treacherous
addled
unable to think clearly
vicissitude
a change of fortune, typically one that is unwelcome/unpleasant
akimbo
hands on hips; limbs flung out haphazardly
askance
with an attitude of suspicion/disapproval
apologist
a person who offers an argument in defense of something controversial
mercenary
concerned with making money above ethics
lackey
a servant
dissolute
immoral
addlepated
stupid and confused
turbid
cloudy/opaque OR obscure in meaning
enervated
drained of energy
quixotic
unrealistic and impractical
posit
assume as a fact; put forward as a basis of argument
providential
occurring at a favorable time; involving divine intervention
simpatico
likeable and easy to get along with
maudlin
self-pitying or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkness
amortize
pay off a debt with regular payments
derviation
the development of something from its origins or source
quagmire
a hazardous situation; soft boggy area of land
depredate
to plunder
autodidact
a self-taught person
recidivist
a convicted criminal who reoffends
libertine
a person who behaves without moral principles or responsibility
myrmidon
a follower or subordinate of a powerful person
presage
an omen
consanguineous
people descended from the same ancestor
tremulous
shaking or quivering slightly
coltish
energetic, but awkward in one’s movements
sycophant
a kiss-ass
fecund
fertile; capable of producing new growth
efficacious
successful; effective
imperious
assuming authority without justification
progeny
a descendant; offspring
debauch
to corrupt the moral purity of
restive
restless
blithe
cheerfully heedless
risible
to provoke laughter
modish
conforming to trends
calumny
to slander
artifice
clever/cunning devices, especially to trick others
pulchritude
beauty
lacuna (lacunae)
a missing section; a gap
efface
erase from the surface; to make one appear insigifnicant/inconspicuous
pacific
peaceful; tranquil
metastasize
spread to other parts of the body
parlous
full of danger; precarious
semiotic
relating to signs and symbols
sangfroid
composure/coolness during stressful situations
eremitic
hermit-like
rectitude
morally correct behavior
stopgap
temporary way of dealing with a problem
modicum
a small quantity of a particular thing
plaudit
expression of praise/approval
vitiation
to make faulty or defective
bedizen
to dress up, decorate gaudily
jocular
joking, humorous, playful
protean
tending to change easily; versatile
penumbra
a partial shadow cast by an obaque object
tony
fashionable among the wealthy
Apollonian
relating to the rational, self-disciplined aspects of human nature
callow
inexperienced and immature
stonewall
to block by refusing to answer questions
effete
pretentious, over refined
pellucid
transluscently clear
boosterism
enthusiastic promotion
aspersion
an attack on someone’s reputation or integrity
muckracking
publishing information in a scandalizing way
calumny
making false statements to slander someone
agog
very eager/curious to see something
farcical
resembling buffoonary
adduce
cite as evidence
sardonic
grimly mocking; cynical
apposite
appropriate in relation to something
factotum
an employee who does all kinds of work
contretemps
a minor dispute or disagreement
pillory
attack/ridicule publicly; wooden framework with holes for heads and hands
puffery
exaggerated or false praise
confabulation
when someone’s memory become unconsciously filled with fabricated memories
chauvinism
exaggerated patriotism
plutocracy
government ruled by the wealthy
lummox
clumsy, stupid person
aleatory
depending on chance; random
encumbrance
burden, impediment
dispensation
exemption from a rule
perquisite
perks
remuneration
money paid for work/services
disincentive
financial disadvantage to discourage behavior
interlocutor
someone who takes part in conversation
genteel
polite, refined, often in an ostentious way
interpolate
insert into something else (unnatural)
explicate
analyze or develop in detail
heuristic
enabling someone to learn by themselves
hermeneutics
branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation
excogitate
think out, plan
antipathetic
showing strong aversion
costive
slow/reluctant in speech or actions
dotage
period in life where person is old and weak
jouissance
physical or intellectural pleasure
picayune
petty; worthless
draconian
excessively harsh
floe
sheet of floating ice
boon
a helpful or beneficial thing
sop
something done to appease with no real action
asseverate
declare solemnly
denigrate
criticize unfairly
balkanize
divide into smaller groups
sequela
a condition of a previous injury
nostrum
an ineffective medicine
stanchion
upright bar forming a support or barrier
