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Vernacular & Etymology > Random > Flashcards

Random Flashcards

1
Q

Disenchantment

A

The feeling of disappointment about someone or something you previously respected or admired

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2
Q

Charlatan

A

A person falsely claiming to have special knowledge or skill

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3
Q

Talisman

A

An object, typically inscribed in a ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck

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4
Q

Flummoxed

A

Bewildered, perplexed

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5
Q

Subterfuge

A

Deceit used in order to achieve one’s goals

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6
Q

Ekpyrosis

A

The death of an old order and the rebirth of something new

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7
Q

Sanguine

A

Cheerfully optimistic

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8
Q

Hubris

A

Excess pride or self confidence

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9
Q

Laconic

A

One who uses few words

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10
Q

Apostasy

A

Renunciation of ones beliefs

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11
Q

Omniscient

A

Knowing everything

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12
Q

Omnipotent

A

Having unlimited power

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13
Q

Satire

A

The use of humour, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to expose or criticise stupidity

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14
Q

Farcical

A

Ludicrous improbable situation

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15
Q

Ostentatious

A

Pretentious or showing display of wealth or luxury

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16
Q

Impetuous

A

Done quickly without thought or care

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17
Q

Cavalier

A

Showing lack of proper concern

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18
Q

Ruse

A

An action intended to deceive someone

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19
Q

Ruse

A

An action intended to deceive someone

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20
Q

Profligate

A

Recklessly extravagant, wasteful in resources

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21
Q

Iconoclastic

A

Person who attacks or criticises cherished beliefs and institutions

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22
Q

Ineffable

A

To great to be described in words

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23
Q

Parlance

A

A particular way of speaking or words common with job or interest

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24
Q

Vacuity

A

Lack of thought or intelligence

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25
Q

Zephyr

A

A soft gentle breeze

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26
Q

Proselytising

A

To impose one’s views on others

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27
Q

Intransigence

A

Unwilling to change one’s views

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28
Q

Aridity

A

Yielding nothing of value

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29
Q

Denigrate

A

Criticise unfairly

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30
Q

Surreptitious

A

Kept secret especially because it will not be approved of

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31
Q

Rapacious

A

Especially greedy or grasping

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32
Q

Assiduously

A

With great care and perseverance

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33
Q

Concomitant

A

The fact of existing or occurring together with something else

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34
Q

Diatribe

A

A forceful and bitter verbal attack

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35
Q

Obsequious

A

Obedient or attentive to an obsessive or servile degree

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36
Q

Solipsism solipsistic

A

The view or theory that the self is all that can be know to exist

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37
Q

Sedulous

A

(Of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence

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38
Q

Sedulous

A

(Of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence

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39
Q

Berate

A

Scold or criticise (someone) angrily

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40
Q

Console

A

Comfort (someone) at a time of grief or disappointment

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41
Q

Petulance

A

Childishly sulky, bad tempered

42
Q

Sadism

A

The tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification from inflicting pain, suffering or humiliation on others

43
Q

Disparage

A

Regard or represent as being of little worth

44
Q

Genealogy

A

A line of decent traces continuously from an ancestor

45
Q

Usurp

A

Take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force

46
Q

Miasma

A

I highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapour

47
Q

Dogmatic

A

To follow a set of rules no matter what

48
Q

Dogma

A

A principal or set of principles laid down by authority as incontrovertible truth

49
Q

Cynical

A

Believing people are motivated purely by self interest. Concerned only with ones own interests disregarding accepted or appropriate standards in order to achieve them

50
Q

Contrarian

A

Person who opposes or rejects popular opinion

51
Q

Quandary

A

State of complexity or uncertainty in what to do in a difficult situation. ‘In a quandary’

52
Q

Pertinent

A

Relevant or applicable to a particular matter

53
Q

Hubris

A

Excessive pride or self confidence

54
Q

Astute

A

Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this into ones advantage

55
Q

Dissension

A

Disagreement that leads to discord

56
Q

Ebullience

A

The quality of being cheerful and full of energy

57
Q

Confluence

A

An act or process of merging

58
Q

Irreconcilable

A

(Of ideas or statements) so different from each other they cannot be made compatible

59
Q

Scapegoat

A

Person who is blamed for wrong doings, mistakes or faults of others

60
Q

Archetype

A

Very typical example of a certain person or thing

61
Q

Paradox

A

Seemingly absurd or self contradictory

62
Q

Oxymoron

A

Figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear together

63
Q

Dichotomy

A

Division or contrast between two things

64
Q

Exhaustive

A

Including or considering all elements or aspects

65
Q

Secular

A

Denoting attitudes, activities or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis

66
Q

Vacuity

A

Lack of thought or intelligence. Empty headed

67
Q

Iconoclast

A

A person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions

68
Q

Rambunctious

A

Uncontrollably exuberant. Boisterous

69
Q

Rambunctious

A

Uncontrollably exuberant. Boisterous

70
Q

Cognitive dissonance

A

In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance is described as the mental disturbance people feel their beliefs and concerns are inconsistent and contradictory

71
Q

Lucid

A

Express clearly

72
Q

Proselytising

A

Imposing on others their values

73
Q

Sacrosanct

A

(Especially of a principle, place or routine) regarding as too important or valuable to be interfered with

74
Q

Parlance

A

A particular way of speaking or using words

75
Q

Regale

A

Entertain or amuse (someone) with talk

76
Q

Diaspora

A

A group of people who spread from one original country to other countries. Or the act of spreading this way

77
Q

Catastrophize

A

To conjure up worst case scenario

78
Q

Malevolent

A

Having or showing a wish to do evil to others

79
Q

Conspiracy

A

The action of plotting or conspiring

80
Q

Apathetic

A

Showing or feeling of no interest, enthusiasm or concern

81
Q

Immemorial

A

Originating in the distant past, very old

82
Q

Anatta (Buddhism)

A

No self

83
Q

Roil

A

Make (a liquid) turbid or muddy by disturbing the sediment

84
Q

Roil

A

Make (a liquid) turbid or muddy by disturbing the sediment

85
Q

Galvanise

A

Shock or excitement (someone) into taking action

86
Q

Omnipotent

A

Having great power

87
Q

Innocuous

A

Not harmful or offensive

88
Q

Paradox

A

A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true

89
Q

Adumbrate

A

Report or represent in outline. Indicate faintly. Foreshadow or symbolise

90
Q

Adumbrate

A

Report or represent in outline. Indicate faintly. Foreshadow or symbolise

91
Q

Diaspora

A

The dispersion or spread of people from their original home land

92
Q

Duplicity

A

Deceitfulness

93
Q

Juxtaposition

A

The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with a contrasting effect

94
Q

Extemporaneous

A

Composed, performed or uttered in spur of moment, impromptu, carefully prepared but delivered without notes

95
Q

Force majeure

A

(Law) unforeseeable circumstances that prevent one from fulfilling a contract

Irresistible compulsion or superior strength

96
Q

Vicissitudes

A

A change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant

97
Q

Subterfuge

A

Deceit used in order to achieve one’s goal

98
Q

Euphemism

A

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

99
Q

Euphemism

A

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

100
Q

Preclude

A

Prevent from happening. Make impossible

101
Q

Fulcrum

A

A thing that plays a central or essential role in an activity, event or situation

Vernacular & Etymology (15 decks)

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