Quiz #6 Flashcards
alacrity
N a quick and cheerful readiness to do something
acerbic
ADJ acid in temper, mood, or tone; expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way
anonymity
N the quality or state of being unknown to most people
ascetic
ADJ relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids physical pleasure
avuncular
ADJ like an uncle : kind or friendly like an uncle
buffoon
N a stupid or foolish person who tries to be funny
caustic
ADJ able to destroy or burn something by chemical action : very harsh and critical
clemency
N kind or merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment
copious
ADJ very large in amount or number
debauchery
N bad or immoral behavior that involves sex, drugs, alcohol, etc.
derogatory
DJ expressing a low opinion of someone or something : showing a lack of respect for someone or something
diminution
N the act or process of becoming less
distend
V to become larger and rounder because of pressure from inside
efface
V to cause (something) to fade or disappear
engender
V to cause to exist or to develop
evanescent
ADJ lasting a very short time; tending to vanish like vapor
facetious
ADJ meant to be humorous or funny; not serious
forlorn
ADJ sad and lonely; empty and in poor condition
garrulous
ADJ tending to talk a lot : very talkative
hierarchy
N a system in which people or things are placed in a series of levels with different importance or status
impartial
ADJ treating all people and groups equally : not partial or biased
inane
ADJ very silly or stupid; lacking significance, meaning, or point
infinitesimal
ADJ immeasurably or incalculably small
intractable
ADJ not easily managed, controlled, solved, relieved, or cured
laconic
ADJ using or involving the use of a minimum of words
lugubrious
ADJ full of sadness or sorrow : very sad especially in an exaggerated or insincere way
mitigate
V to make (something) less severe, harmful, or painful
obdurate
ADJ refusing to do what other people want : not willing to change your opinion or the way you do something
overt
ADJ easily seen; not secret or hidden; open to view
peremptory
ADJ having or showing the insulting attitude of people who think that they should be obeyed without question
platitude
N a banal, trite, or stale remark; the quality or state of being dull or insipid
pristine
ADJ not changed by people; left in its natural state; in perfect condition : completely clean, fresh, neat, etc.
prudent
ADJ having or showing careful good judgment
recalcitrant
ADJ stubbornly refusing to obey orders; obstinately defiant of authority or restraint
reprehensible
ADJ very bad : deserving very strong criticism
rue
N=regret, sorrow; V=to feel regret or sorrow
scrupulous
ADJ very careful about doing something correctly; careful about doing what is honest and morally right
sporadic
ADJ happening often but not regularly : not constant or steady
subtle
ADJ clever and indirect; not showing your real purpose; hard to notice or see : not obvious
sycophant
N a person who praises powerful people in order to get their approval; a servile, self-seeking flatterer
terse
ADJ brief and direct in a way that may seem rude or unfriendly
unctuous
ADJ revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spirituality
utilitarian
ADJ made to be useful rather than to be decorative or comfortable
vicissitude
N the quality or state of being changeable
voracious
ADJ having or showing a tendency to eat very large amounts of food
