Random Flashcards
1
Q
Disenchantment
A
The feeling of disappointment about someone or something you previously respected or admired
2
Q
Charlatan
A
A person falsely claiming to have special knowledge or skill
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
4
Q
Flummoxed
A
Bewildered, perplexed
5
Q
Subterfuge
A
Deceit used in order to achieve one’s goals
6
Q
Ekpyrosis
A
The death of an old order and the rebirth of something new
7
Q
Sanguine
A
Cheerfully optimistic
8
Q
Hubris
A
Excess pride or self confidence
9
Q
Laconic
A
One who uses few words
10
Q
Apostasy
A
Renunciation of ones beliefs
11
Q
Omniscient
A
Knowing everything
12
Q
Omnipotent
A
Having unlimited power
13
Q
Satire
A
The use of humour, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to expose or criticise stupidity
14
Q
Farcical
A
Ludicrous improbable situation
15
Q
Ostentatious
A
Pretentious or showing display of wealth or luxury
16
Q
Impetuous
A
Done quickly without thought or care
17
Q
Cavalier
A
Showing lack of proper concern
18
Q
Ruse
A
An action intended to deceive someone
19
Q
Ruse
A
An action intended to deceive someone
20
Q
Profligate
A
Recklessly extravagant, wasteful in resources
21
Q
Iconoclastic
A
Person who attacks or criticises cherished beliefs and institutions
22
Q
Ineffable
A
To great to be described in words
23
Q
Parlance
A
A particular way of speaking or words common with job or interest
24
Q
Vacuity
A
Lack of thought or intelligence
25
Zephyr
A soft gentle breeze
26
Proselytising
To impose one’s views on others
27
Intransigence
Unwilling to change one’s views
28
Aridity
Yielding nothing of value
29
Denigrate
Criticise unfairly
30
Surreptitious
Kept secret especially because it will not be approved of
31
Rapacious
Especially greedy or grasping
32
Assiduously
With great care and perseverance
33
Concomitant
The fact of existing or occurring together with something else
34
Diatribe
A forceful and bitter verbal attack
35
Obsequious
Obedient or attentive to an obsessive or servile degree
36
Solipsism solipsistic
The view or theory that the self is all that can be know to exist
37
Sedulous
(Of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence
38
Sedulous
(Of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence
39
Berate
Scold or criticise (someone) angrily
40
Console
Comfort (someone) at a time of grief or disappointment
41
Petulance
Childishly sulky, bad tempered
42
Sadism
The tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification from inflicting pain, suffering or humiliation on others
43
Disparage
Regard or represent as being of little worth
44
Genealogy
A line of decent traces continuously from an ancestor
45
Usurp
Take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force
46
Miasma
I highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapour
47
Dogmatic
To follow a set of rules no matter what
48
Dogma
A principal or set of principles laid down by authority as incontrovertible truth
49
Cynical
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
Contrarian
Person who opposes or rejects popular opinion
51
Quandary
State of complexity or uncertainty in what to do in a difficult situation. ‘In a quandary’
52
Pertinent
Relevant or applicable to a particular matter
53
Hubris
Excessive pride or self confidence
54
Astute
Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this into ones advantage
55
Dissension
Disagreement that leads to discord
56
Ebullience
The quality of being cheerful and full of energy
57
Confluence
An act or process of merging
58
Irreconcilable
(Of ideas or statements) so different from each other they cannot be made compatible
59
Scapegoat
Person who is blamed for wrong doings, mistakes or faults of others
60
Archetype
Very typical example of a certain person or thing
61
Paradox
Seemingly absurd or self contradictory
62
Oxymoron
Figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear together
63
Dichotomy
Division or contrast between two things
64
Exhaustive
Including or considering all elements or aspects
65
Secular
Denoting attitudes, activities or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis
66
Vacuity
Lack of thought or intelligence. Empty headed
67
Iconoclast
A person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions
68
Rambunctious
Uncontrollably exuberant. Boisterous
69
Rambunctious
Uncontrollably exuberant. Boisterous
70
Cognitive dissonance
In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance is described as the mental disturbance people feel their beliefs and concerns are inconsistent and contradictory
71
Lucid
Express clearly
72
Proselytising
Imposing on others their values
73
Sacrosanct
(Especially of a principle, place or routine) regarding as too important or valuable to be interfered with
74
Parlance
A particular way of speaking or using words
75
Regale
Entertain or amuse (someone) with talk
76
Diaspora
A group of people who spread from one original country to other countries. Or the act of spreading this way
77
Catastrophize
To conjure up worst case scenario
78
Malevolent
Having or showing a wish to do evil to others
79
Conspiracy
The action of plotting or conspiring
80
Apathetic
Showing or feeling of no interest, enthusiasm or concern
81
Immemorial
Originating in the distant past, very old
82
Anatta (Buddhism)
No self
83
Roil
Make (a liquid) turbid or muddy by disturbing the sediment
84
Roil
Make (a liquid) turbid or muddy by disturbing the sediment
85
Galvanise
Shock or excitement (someone) into taking action
86
Omnipotent
Having great power
87
Innocuous
Not harmful or offensive
88
Paradox
A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true
89
Adumbrate
Report or represent in outline. Indicate faintly. Foreshadow or symbolise
90
Adumbrate
Report or represent in outline. Indicate faintly. Foreshadow or symbolise
91
Diaspora
The dispersion or spread of people from their original home land
92
Duplicity
Deceitfulness
93
Juxtaposition
The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with a contrasting effect
94
Extemporaneous
Composed, performed or uttered in spur of moment, impromptu, carefully prepared but delivered without notes
95
Force majeure
(Law) unforeseeable circumstances that prevent one from fulfilling a contract
Irresistible compulsion or superior strength
96
Vicissitudes
A change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant
97
Subterfuge
Deceit used in order to achieve one’s goal
98
Euphemism
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
Euphemism
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
Preclude
Prevent from happening. Make impossible
101
Fulcrum
A thing that plays a central or essential role in an activity, event or situation
102
Axiomatic
Self evident and unquestionable
