Random Words Flashcards
Overture
something introductory
Preamble
the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law
statute
a law enacted by the legislative branch of a government
poseur
a person who pretends to be what he or she is not : an affected or insincere person
insolent
insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct
grouch
a fit of bad temper
graphology
the study of handwriting especially for the purpose of character analysis
phonograph
an instrument for reproducing sounds by means of the vibration of a stylus or needle following a spiral groove on a revolving disc or cylinder
millinery
women’s apparel for the head
scythe
an implement used for mowing grass, grain, or other crops and composed of a long curving blade fastened at an angle to a long handle
granary
a storehouse for threshed grain
threshold
the plank, stone, or piece of timber that lies under a door
reticent
inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech
reprobate
an unprincipled or depraved person : SCOUNDREL, ROGUE
zealous
marked by fervent partisanship for a person, a cause, or an ideal : filled with or characterized by zeal
maverick
an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party
accede
to express approval or give consent : to agree to a request or demand —usually + to
garrulous
given to prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity : pointlessly or annoyingly talkative
dissolution
the act or process of dissolving
furrow
a trench in the earth made by a plow
porthole
an opening (such as a window) with a cover or closure especially in the side of a ship or aircraft
grovel
to give oneself over to what is base or unworthy
census
a usually complete enumeration of a population
roster
a roll or list of personnel
wheedle
to influence or entice by soft words or flattery
filibuster
an action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures.
assuage
to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses)
maul
a heavy often wooden-headed hammer used especially for driving wedges
elegy
a song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation especially for one who is dead
apostasy
1: an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith
2: abandonment of a previous loyalty : DEFECTION
collusion
: secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose
quarry
a place, typically a large deep pit, from which stone or other materials are or have been extracted
strident
loud and harsh
postscript
a note or series of notes appended to a completed letter, article, or book
byline
a line at the beginning of a news story, magazine article, or book giving the writer’s name
plane
a tool used to smooth out wood
stingy
not generous or liberal : sparing or scant in using, giving, or spending
frugal
characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources
mongrel
an individual resulting from the interbreeding of diverse breeds. one of unknown ancestry
circuitous
not being forthright or direct in language or action
deluge
1a: an overflowing of the land by water
b: a drenching rain
spoke
any of the small radiating bars inserted in the hub of a wheel to support the rim
rung
one of the crosspieces of a ladder
inning
rounds of a baseball game
fallow
usually cultivated land that is allowed to lie idle during the growing season
2obsolete : plowed land
deference
respect and esteem due a superior or an elder
avaricious
greedy of gain : excessively acquisitive especially in seeking to hoard riches
bough
a branch of a tree
miser
especially : one who is extremely stingy with money
tether
a line (as of rope or chain) by which an animal is fastened so as to restrict its range of movement
crest
the top of a wave
usury
the lending of money with an interest charge for its use
especially : the lending of money at exorbitant interest rates
2: an unconscionable or exorbitant rate or amount of interest
specifically : interest in excess of a legal rate charged to a borrower for the use of money
parsimony
the quality of being careful with money or resources : THRIFT
the necessity of wartime parsimony
b: the quality or state of being stingy
The charity was surprised by the parsimony of some larger corporations.
cacophony
harsh or jarring sound : DISSONANCE sense 2
specifically : harshness in the sound of words or phrases
barge
: any of various boats: such as
a: a roomy usually flat-bottomed boat used chiefly for the transport of goods on inland waterways and usually propelled by towing
b: a large motorboat supplied to the flag officer of a flagship
c: a roomy pleasure boat
especially : a boat of state elegantly furnished and decorated
armory
1a: a supply of arms for defense or attack
b: a collection of available resources
2: a place where arms and military equipment are stored
especially : one used for training reserve military personnel
3: a place where arms are manufactured
vie
: to strive for superiority : CONTEND, COMPETE
mutiny
: to rise against or refuse to obey or observe authority
He mutinied not just against God but against the older generation of Romanian intellectuals.
— Will Blythe
ream
1: a quantity of paper being 20 quires or variously 480, 500, or 516 sheets
2: a great amount —usually used in plural
rustle
1: to make or cause a rustle
2a: to act or move with energy or speed
b: to forage food
3: to steal cattle
grisly
1: inspiring horror or intense fear houses that were dark and grisly under the blank, cold sky — D. H. Lawrence 2: inspiring disgust or distaste a grisly account of the fire
expropriate
transitive verb
1: to deprive of possession or proprietary rights
2: to transfer (the property of another) to one’s own possession
lattice
1a: a framework or structure of crossed wood or metal strips
b: a window, door, or gate having a lattice
c: a network or design resembling a lattice
2: a regular geometrical arrangement of points or objects over an area or in space
specifically : the arrangement of atoms in a crystal
loom
noun
an apparatus for making fabric by weaving yarn or thread.
tenet
: a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true
especially : one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession
mare
a female horse or other equine animal especially when fully mature or of breeding age
shear
a: to cut off the hair from
b: to cut or clip (hair, wool, etc.) from someone or something
also : to cut something from
shear a lawn
drone
1: a stingless male bee (as of the honeybee) that has the role of mating with the queen and does not gather nectar or pollen
2: one that lives on the labors of others : PARASITE
carp
: to find fault or complain querulously
ledger
1: a book containing accounts to which debits and credits are posted from books of original entry
2: a horizontal board used for vertical support (as in scaffolding)
capitulation
a set of terms or articles (see ARTICLE sense 1c) constituting an agreement between governments
goading
o incite or rouse as if with a goad (see GOAD entry 2 sense 2a)
was goaded into fighting with another player
ephemeral
lasting a very short time
siege
a military blockade of a city or fortified place to compel it to surrender
conjecture
a: inference formed without proof or sufficient evidence
b: a conclusion deduced by surmise or guesswork
The criminal’s motive remains a matter of conjecture.
c: a proposition (as in mathematics) before it has been proved or disproved
