Quiz #8 Flashcards
altruistic
ADJ unselfishly concerned for or devoted to others
acrimonious
ADJ angry and bitter
antithesis
N opposition or contrast; rhetorical contrast using words and sentence structure to form a balanced contrast of ideas
assuage
V to make something less painful or severe
beleaguer
V to surround, with troubles, or with military forces
cacophony
N harshness of sound; dissonance; harshness in the sound of words or phrases
censure
N a condemning of wrong; V to express strong disapproval of
colloquial
ADJ characteristic of informal conversation
crass
ADJ rude and insensitive; showing no understanding of what is proper or acceptable
decadence
N unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence
desiccate
V to dry thoroughly; to dry up
discriminate
V to show partiality; to note or observe a difference
docile
ADJ easily managed or handled; teachable
egregious
ADJ extraordinary in some bad way; glaring, flagrant
ephemeral
ADJ lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory
exemplary
ADJ worthy of imitation; commendable
fallacy
N a deceptive, misleading, or false notion; a misleading or unsound argument
fortuitous
ADJ lucky; fortunate; accidental
gratuitous
ADJ given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; voluntary; being without apparent reason, cause, or justification
hyperbole
N obvious and intentional exaggeration
impeccable
ADJ flawless, faultless, irreproachable
incisive
ADJ remarkable clear and direct; sharp; keen; acute; penetrating; cutting
innocuous
ADJ not harmful; harmless; inoffensive
invective
N an insulting or abusive word or expression; ADJ abusive or bitter (language)
lassitude
N weariness of body or mind; lack of energy, listlessness
malaise
N a condition of general body weakness or discomfort; a vague or unfocused feeling of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort
moribund
ADJ in a dying state; near death; on the verge of extinction
obliterate
V to remove or destroy all traces of; to destroy completely; to do away with
pariah
N an outcast; a person or animal that is generally despised or avoided
perfunctory
ADJ hasty and superficial; without interest, care, or enthusiasm
poignant
ADJ affecting or moving to the emotions; strong in mental appeal
profane
ADJ vulgar, irreverent, unholy; V to misuse, defile, violate, or treat with contempt
putative
ADJ commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed
recluse
N a person who lives apart or in seclusion from society; ADJ characterized by seclusion; solitary
repudiate
V to reject, disown, cast off, or refuse to acknowledge
sagacious
ADJ having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense; shrewd
sectarian
N a member of a sect; a bigoted or narrow-minded adherent of a sect; ADJ relating to sects; narrowly defined or limited in interest; devoted to a particular sect
squalid
ADJ foul and repulsive; neglected and filthy; wretched; sordid
sullen
ADJ gloomy or dismal; showing irritation through silence
tangential
ADJ merely touching; slightly connected; divergent or digressive
thwart
V to oppose successfully; to prevent from accomplishing a purpose
unethical
ADJ lacking moral principles; not in accord with the standards of a profession
vacillate
V to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute; to sway unsteadily; to waver
vindictive
ADJ disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful
zany
ADJ ludicrously or whimsically comical; clownish; N a comically wild or eccentric person
