NSF nationals vocabulary X20 Flashcards
pulsate
to vibrate or quiver, to expand and contract rythimatically
punitive
inflicting punishment
purview
the range of vision, or insight
pussyfoot
to move in a stealthy manner
pyrotechnic
the craft of making fireworks
Pyrrhic victory
a victory or goal achieved at too great a cost
quaff
to drink a beverage heartily
quail
small gallinaceous game birds
quandary
a state of uncertainty
quantum
a amount or value
queasy
nausea, about to vomit
quibble
argue over petty things
quid pro quo
one things in return for another
quixotic
not sensible about practical matters; unrealistic
quizzical
perplexed, confused
radon
radioactive gaseous
rail
a barrier, brace, or support
raiment
clothing, apparel, attire
rakish
like a rake, dissolute
rancid
having a bad smell or taste
rancor
a feeling of bitter anger
rarefied
extremely high or elevated
raucous
unpleasantly loud and harsh
ravening
devouring or craving food
ravish
to hold spellbound
reappraisal
a new appraisal or evaluation
recant
to formally reject or disavow
recognizance
a security entered into before a court with a condition to perform some act required by law
reconnoiter
to explore with a goal of finding something or somebody
recrimination
mutual accusation
recumbent
lying down, reclining
redoubtable
inspiring fear
referendum
a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate
rejoinder
a response
rend
tear or to be torn violently
renegade
having deserted a cause or principle
repair
to fix up
repatriate
to return to a country whose citizenship has been restored
repel
to drive back
repose
to pose again
