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A Scripps Bee Demo > Sample Definition Cards > Flashcards

Sample Definition Cards Flashcards

1
Q

Define:

temerity

(tuh-mer-i-tee)

A

n. reckless boldness

The temerity of the pirate crew cost them their ship.

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2
Q

Define:

depredate

(dep-rih-deyt)

A

v. to plunder, pillage, destroy
v. to exploit

The Vikings depredated the whole valley.

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3
Q

Define:

genuflect

(djen-yoo-flekt)

A

v. to bend knee to ground (as in worship)
v. to grovel

The king’s subjects genuflected when he entered the room.

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4
Q

Define:

wend

(wend)

A

v. to go, proceed, walk

We wended our way through the market.

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5
Q

Define:

pelagic

(puh-ladj-ik)

A

adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land

The pelagic organism was only found in the deepest part of the ocean.

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6
Q

Define:

froward

(froh-werd)

A

adj. intractable, stubbornly disobedient, difficult to manage

The froward mule sat down and refused to move all afternoon.

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7
Q

Define:

punctilious

(puhngk-til-ee-uhs)

A

adj. precise, paying attention to trivialities of etiquette

A secretary who punctiliously records every detail.

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8
Q

Define:

aphorism

(af-uh-riz-uhm)

A

n. a tersely phrased truth or opinion; adage; epigram
n. a brief statement of principle; or general truth

The children had finally learned the meaning of the aphorism “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”.

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9
Q

Define:

purloin

(per-loin, per-loin)

A

v. to steal

The manipulative thief purloined the diamonds after gaining the confidence of their location.

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10
Q

Define:

esoteric

(es-uh-ter-ik)

A

adj. intended for or understood only by a particular group
adj. not publicly disclosed; confidential

The esoteric ideas of the cult failed to enlighten many outsiders.

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11
Q

Define:

succor

(suhk-er)

A

n. relief during a time of struggle

The Red Cross provides succor to refugees in emergency shelters.

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12
Q

Define:

protean

(proh-tee-uhn)

A

adj. readily assuming different forms or characters

Fans regarded the protean actress as capable of playing any role.

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13
Q

Define:

callous

(kal-uhs)

A

adj. insensitive; having no feeling

The callous remark upset the entire family.

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14
Q

Define:

proscribe

(proh-skrahyb)

A

v. to prohibit or forbid as harmful or unlawful

Citizens pushed to proscribe swimming in the polluted lake.

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15
Q

Define:

denouement

(dey-noo-mahn)

A

n. an outcome or solution to a complex series of events

Though public interest slackened after the arsonist was caught, the denouement of the case was just as interesting as the manhunt that had preceded it.

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16
Q

Define:

supercilious

(soo-per-sill-ee-uhs)

A

adj. arrogant, overbearing; displaying condescending superiority over someone else

His supercilious behavior drove away many of his peers.

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17
Q

Define:

parley

(pahr-lee)

A

n. discussion between enemies, often to prepare terms of surrender

The longtime enemies held a parley to work on peace negotiations.

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18
Q

Define:

apoplectic

(ap-uh-plek-tik)

A

adj. furious; enraged; overcome with anger
adj. relating to a stroke

When Jim found out he was fired, he apoplectically stormed out of the office.

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19
Q

Define:

simper

(sim-per)

A

v. to say with a coy smile; to smirk

Dave simpered a feeble attempt at an apology.

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20
Q

Define:

miscegenation

(mih-sedj-uh-ney-shuhn)

A

n. the interbreeding of different races
n. any mixture or hybrid

The school cafeteria served an obscure miscegenation of ingredients as meatloaf.

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21
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. recklessness

A

temerity

(tuh-mer-i-tee)

synonyms: arrogance, brashness

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22
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to plunder, pillage, destroy
v. to exploit

A

depredate

(dep-rih-deyt)

synonyms: despoil, ravish, defile

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23
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to bend knee to ground (as in worship)
v. to grovel

A

genuflect

(djen-yoo-flekt)

synonyms: kneel, beg

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24
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to go, proceed, walk

A

wend

(wend)

synonyms: go, journey, travel

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25
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land

A

pelagic

(puh-ladj-ik)

synonyms: aquatic, oceanic

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26
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. intractable, stubbornly disobedient, difficult to manage

A

froward

(froh-werd)

synonyms: antagonistic, conflicting

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27
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. precise, paying attention to trivialities of etiquette

A

punctilious

(puhngk-til-ee-uhs)

synonyms: meticulous, careful, finicky

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28
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a tersely phrased truth or opinion; adage; epigram
n. a brief statement of principle; or general truth

A

aphorism

(af-uh-riz-uhm)

synonyms: axiom, precept; principle, truth

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29
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to steal

A

purloin

(per-loin, per-loin)

synonyms: burglarize, cheat, swindle

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30
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. intended for or understood only by a particular group
adj. not publicly disclosed; confidential

A

esoteric

(es-uh-ter-ik)

synonyms: obscure, secret, cryptic

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31
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. relief during a time of struggle

A

succor

(suhk-er)

synonyms: aid, comfort, refuge

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32
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. readily assuming different forms or characters

A

protean

(proh-tee-uhn)

synonyms: versatile, adaptable, dexterous

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33
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. insensitive; having no feeling

A

callous

(kal-uhs)

synonyms: soulless, cruel

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34
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to prohibit or forbid as harmful or unlawful

A

proscribe

(proh-skrahyb)

synonyms: condemn, banish

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35
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. an outcome or solution to a complex series of events

A

denouement

(dey-noo-mahn)

synonyms: finale, final achievement

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36
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. arrogant, overbearing; displaying condescending superiority over someone else

A

supercilious

(soo-per-sill-ee-uhs)

synonyms: bossy, condescending

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37
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. discussion between enemies, often to prepare terms of surrender

A

parley

(pahr-lee)

synonyms: conference, mediation

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38
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. furious; enraged; overcome with anger
adj. relating to a stroke

A

apoplectic

(ap-uh-plek-tik)

synonyms: angry; wrathful

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39
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to say with a coy smile; to smirk

A

simper

(sim-per)

synonyms: grin, leer, sneer

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40
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the interbreeding of different races
n. any mixture or hybrid

A

miscegenation

(mih-sedj-uh-ney-shuhn)

synonyms: interbreeding, mixing races

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41
Q

Define:

androgynous

(an-drodj-uh-nuhs)

A

adj. hermaphroditic
adj. not distinguishable between male and female

The androgynous baby was only identifiable as a boy by its blue clothing.

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42
Q

Define:

covey

(kuhv-ee)

A

n. a family of partridges
n. a small group

Outside the classroom was a covey of giggling schoolgirls.

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43
Q

Define:

supine

(adj. soo-pahyn)

A

adj. inactive, lying on one’s back apathetically
adj. morally slack

The officials exhibited a supine acceptance of corruption.

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44
Q

Define:

cozen

(kuhz-uhn)

A

v. to cheat, beguile, or deceive

The corrupt televangelist cozened money from viewers by lying about charitable intentions.

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45
Q

Define:

limpid

(lim-pid)

A

adj. calm, untroubled, serene
adj. transparent, clear (as of water, air, or crystal)

The family flew a kite down by the limpid blue pond.

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46
Q

Define:

refulgent

(rih-fuhl-juhnt)

A

adj. shining radiantly; brilliant

The refulgent palace seemed out of place amid the poverty of the villages surrounding it.

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47
Q

Define:

phlegmatic

(fleg-mat-ik)

A

adj. hard to excite, calm, sluggish
adj. unemotional, stoic

Pete’s phlegmatic response was difficult for his friends to read.

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48
Q

Define:

attenuate

(uh-ten-yoo-eyt)

A

v. to weaken or reduce in force or value
v. to make small or fine

The medicine attenuated the fever’s effect.

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49
Q

Define:

disingenuous

(diss-in-djen-yoo-uhs)

A

adj. lacking in sincerity or candor

When the oil prospector’s promises were discovered to be disingenuous, he was run out of town.

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50
Q

Define:

epistle

(uh-piss-uhl)

A

n. a written message, usually a formal letter

The epistle was hand-delivered by a confidant in order to avoid interception.

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51
Q

Define:

factitious

(fak-tish-uhs)

A

adj. produced artificially; not natural
adj. fake

The factitious laughter of insincere talk show hosts makes my skin crawl.

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52
Q

Define:

pied

(pahyd)

A

adj. containing patches of two or more colors, usually in blotches

The jester’s pied coat was stitched together from scraps of blue and red fabric.

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53
Q

Define:

militate

(mill-ih-teyt)

A

v. to have substantial weight or bearing on; to argue for or against

The volatility of the situation militated against any rash action.

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54
Q

Define:

Stygian

(stidj-ee-uhn)

A

adj. dark, gloomy, dismal
adj. infernal, hellish

The Stygian murk of the cave made it difficult to navigate.

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55
Q

Define:

gainsay

(geyn-sey)

A

v. to declare false
v. to deny
v. to contradict or claim exception to

Evidence and witness testimony all gainsaid the defendant’s claims.

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56
Q

Define:

palliate

(pal-ee-eyt)

A

v. to make something appear less serious; to mitigate; to alleviate

The student tried to palliate the significance of his plagiarism.

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57
Q

Define:

nostrum

(nos-truhm)

A

n. cure-all, questionable remedy, or a placebo

An ad on television depicted a nostrum that claims to cure hangovers.

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58
Q

Define:

obstreperous

(uhb-strep-er-uhs)

A

adj. unruly, noisy, loudly stubborn

The obstreperous two-year-old cried the entire train ride.

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59
Q

Define:

precocious

(prih-koh-shuhs)

A

adj. unusually quick development or maturation, especially in intelligence

The child’s precocious understanding of calculus stunned his teachers.

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60
Q

Define:

regale

(rih-geyl)

A

v. to entertain; to feast

Steve regaled his guests with exciting tales.

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61
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. hermaphroditic
adj. not distinguishable between male and female

A

androgynous

(an-drodj-uh-nuhs)

synonyms: cross-sexual, unisexual, trans-sexual

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62
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a family of partridges
n. a small group

A

covey

(kuhv-ee)

synonyms: a small group, a small flock of birds

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63
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. inactive, lying on one’s back apathetically
adj. morally slack

A

supine

(adj. soo-pahyn)

synonyms: lying down, flat; apathetic, lazy

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64
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to cheat, beguile, or deceive

A

cozen

(kuhz-uhn)

synonyms: hoodwink, swindle, dupe

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65
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. calm, untroubled, serene
adj. transparent, clear (as of water, air, or crystal)

A

limpid

(lim-pid)

synonyms: tranquil, peaceful; glassy, translucent

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66
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. shining radiantly; brilliant

A

refulgent

(rih-fuhl-juhnt)

synonyms: glowing, luminous, gleaming

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67
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. hard to excite, calm, sluggish
adj. unemotional, stoic

A

phlegmatic

(fleg-mat-ik)

synonyms: apathetic, dispassionate, lethargic

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68
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to weaken or reduce in force or value
v. to make small or fine

A

attenuate

(uh-ten-yoo-eyt)

synonyms: deflate, cripple, lessen

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69
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. lacking in sincerity or candor

A

disingenuous

(diss-in-djen-yoo-uhs)

synonyms: dishonest, crooked

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70
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a written message, usually a formal letter

A

epistle

(uh-piss-uhl)

synonyms: card, letter, memo

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71
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. produced artificially; not natural
adj. fake

A

factitious

(fak-tish-uhs)

synonyms: artificial, false, sham

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72
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. containing patches of two or more colors, usually in blotches

A

pied

(pahyd)

synonyms: patches of color, uneven coloring

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73
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to have substantial weight or bearing on; to argue for or against

A

militate

(mill-ih-teyt)

synonyms: weigh, important, influential

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74
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. dark, gloomy, dismal
adj. infernal, hellish

A

Stygian

(stidj-ee-uhn)

synonyms: inky, sombre

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75
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to declare false
v. to deny
v. to contradict or claim exception to

A

gainsay

(geyn-sey)

synonyms: deny, disaffirm, disprove

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76
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to make something appear less serious; to mitigate; to alleviate

A

palliate

(pal-ee-eyt)

synonyms: gloss over, condone, lessen

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77
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. cure-all, questionable remedy, or a placebo

A

nostrum

(nos-truhm)

synonyms: elixir, quick fix, aid

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78
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unruly, noisy, loudly stubborn

A

obstreperous

(uhb-strep-er-uhs)

synonyms: boisterous, loud, riotous

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79
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unusually quick development or maturation, especially in intelligence

A

precocious

(prih-koh-shuhs)

synonyms: advanced, developed, quick, intelligent

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80
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to entertain; to feast

A

regale

(rih-geyl)

synonyms: delight, amuse; treat

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81
Q

Define:

ambit

(am-bit)

A

n. the extent, boundary or scope of something

Though I find her actions reprehensible, she was acting within the ambit of the law and so my hands are tied.

82
Q

Define:

apostate

(uh-poss-teyt)

A

n. one who abandons a belief, cause, party or religion

The apostate is dealt with very harshly in many religious traditions.

83
Q

Define:

sophistry

(sof-uh-stree)

A

n. fallacious reasoning; faulty, although plausible, logic

The students were quickly convinced by the professor’s sophistry and did not inquire further.

84
Q

Define:

perspicuity

(purr-spih-kyoo-ih-tee)

A

n. clarity or perceptiveness in speech, thought, or writing

The perspicuity of the writing made a complicated topic easy for all to understand.

85
Q

Define:

enjoin

(en-join)

A

v. to command or direct an action with authority
v. to prohibit or forbid an action

The captain enjoined his men to respect the local laws while on shore leave.

86
Q

Define:

fulsome

(fool-suhm)

A

adj. offensively flattering or insincere.
adj. offensive to the taste
adj. generous or abundant

I prefer Sara’s sincere criticism to all the fulsome praise I receive from Deb.

87
Q

Define:

imprecation

(im-prih-key-shuhn)

A

n. a curse

The witch cast an imprecation on the villagers.

88
Q

Define:

extenuate

(ik-sten-yoo-eyt)

A

v. to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of; to mitigate

The prisoner’s illness may extenuate the conditions of his captivity, but it shall not lead me to order his early release.

89
Q

Define:

ineluctable

(in-ih-luhk-tuh-buhl)

A

adj. certain, inevitable, unavoidable

A hectic lifestyle seems to be the ineluctable product of modernity.

90
Q

Define:

vitiate

(vish-ee-eyt)

A

v. to reduce the quality of
v. to corrupt

The tear in the painting vitiated its overall appeal and halved its appraisal cost.

91
Q

Define:

turpitude

(tur-pih-tood)

A

n. depravity, baseness
n. a vile act

Because of stealing, he was dismissed on grounds of moral turpitude.

92
Q

Define:

plaintive

(pleyn-tiv)

A

adj. mournful, sorrowful, melancholy

The procession was led by the plaintive strains of the bagpipe.

93
Q

Define:

pertinacious

(purt-n-ey-shuhs)

A

adj. holding tenaciously to a belief
adj. stubbornly unyielding

Her pertinacious devotion to the debunked theory led her to be marginalized in the scientific community.

94
Q

Define:

recreant

(rek-ree-uhnt)

A

adj. unfaithful, disloyal to belief or principle
adj. cowardly or craven
n. one who is a coward, unfaithful, or disloyal

The recreant knight ran from the battle.

95
Q

Define:

adduce

(uh-doos)

A

v. to offer as proof in an argument

Seth adduced several recent studies in support of his hypothesis.

96
Q

Define:

traduce

(truh-doos)

A

v. to slander or speak maliciously of

As a “green energy” campaigner, I distrust politicians who habitually traduce the motivations of environmentalists.

97
Q

Define:

apposite

(app-uh-zit)

A

adj. relevant, suitable, or fitting

Though clever, Dmitry’s pun was not apposite to the solemn occasion.

98
Q

Define:

discursive

(diss-kurr-siv)

A

adj. rambling aimlessly through a wide range of subjects.
adj. drawing conclusions based on reason (as opposed to intuition)

The poor speaker gave a rambling, discursive speech

99
Q

Define:

avocation

(av-uh-key-shuhn)

A

n. an extracurricular activity; a hobby

My favorite avocation is playing baseball in the summertime.

100
Q

Define:

adumbrate

(uh-duhm-breyt)

A

v. to foreshadow vaguely
v. to produce a faint outline or resemblance of something

The first volume merely adumbrates the basics of the story to be developed in the next two books.

101
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. the extent, boundary or scope of something

A

ambit

(am-bit)

synonyms: compass, extension, range

102
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. one who abandons a belief, cause, party or religion

A

apostate

(uh-poss-teyt)

synonyms: traitor, defector, unfaithful

103
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. fallacious reasoning; faulty, although plausible, logic

A

sophistry

(sof-uh-stree)

synonyms: fallacy, inconsistency

104
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. clarity or perceptiveness in speech, thought, or writing

A

perspicuity

(purr-spih-kyoo-ih-tee)

synonyms: comprehensibility, articulateness

105
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to command or direct an action with authority
v. to prohibit or forbid an action

A

enjoin

(en-join)

synonyms: order, command; disallow, outlaw

106
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. offensively flattering or insincere.
adj. offensive to the taste

A

fulsome

(fool-suhm)

synonyms: overdone, copious, distasteful

107
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a curse

A

imprecation

(im-prih-key-shuhn)

synonyms: spell, hex

108
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of; to mitigate

A

extenuate

(ik-sten-yoo-eyt)

synonyms: mitigate, lessen, lighten

109
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. certain, inevitable, unavoidable

A

ineluctable

(in-ih-luhk-tuh-buhl)

synonyms: inescapable, destined

110
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to reduce the quality of
v. to corrupt

A

vitiate

(vish-ee-eyt)

synonyms: cheapen, deteriorate; blemish, debase

111
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. depravity, baseness
n. a vile act

A

turpitude

(tur-pih-tood)

synonyms: debasement, immorality

112
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. mournful, sorrowful, melancholy

A

plaintive

(pleyn-tiv)

synonyms: afflicted, distressing

113
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. holding tenaciously to a belief
adj. stubbornly unyielding

A

pertinacious

(purt-n-ey-shuhs)

synonyms: determined, tenacious, stubborn

114
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unfaithful, disloyal to belief or principle
adj. cowardly or craven
n. one who is a coward, unfaithful, or disloyal

A

recreant

(rek-ree-uhnt)

synonyms: cowardly, unfaithful, deserter

115
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to offer as proof in an argument

A

adduce

(uh-doos)

synonyms: introduce, exhibit

116
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to slander or speak maliciously of

A

traduce

(truh-doos)

synonyms: defame, slander

117
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. relevant, suitable, or fitting

A

apposite

(app-uh-zit)

synonyms: pertinent, timely, appropriate

118
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. rambling aimlessly through a wide range of subjects
adj. drawing conclusions based on reason (as opposed to intuition)

A

discursive

(diss-kurr-siv)

synonyms: digressive, erratic; inclusive, absolute

119
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. an extracurricular activity; a hobby

A

avocation

(av-uh-key-shuhn)

synonyms: hobby, recreation

120
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to foreshadow vaguely
v. to produce a faint outline or resemblance of something

A

adumbrate

(uh-duhm-breyt)

synonyms: bode, suggest, indicate, outline

121
Q

Define:

alchemy

(al-kuh-me)

A

n. the medieval study of transforming lead into gold

Although it was never proven possible, alchemy is in many ways related to the chemistry we study today.

122
Q

Define:

allege

(uh-ledge)

A

v. to state that something is true without providing proof

The neighbors alleged that it was the store owner who started the fire, but it turned out that he had been out of town after speaking with him.

123
Q

Define:

allude

(uh-lewd)

A

v. to refer to another concept indirectly

She would occasionally allude to a summer house, though nobody knew exactly where it was.

124
Q

Define:

altruism

(al-true-iz-um)

A

n. selfless concern for others

Many charities were formed thanks to Rajiv’s altruism and generosity.

125
Q

Define:

ambivalence

(am-biv-uh-lunce)

A

n. indifference or confused feelings

The bride’s ambivalence towards the color of the roses meant the groom had to decide.

126
Q

Define:

amble

(am-bul)

A

v. to walk slowly

The old man ambled over to our table and started up a conversation.

127
Q

Define:

ameliorate

(uh-meal-yuh-rate)

A

v. to make better

The new medicine ameliorated her condition rather quickly.

128
Q

Define:

amenable

(uh-men-ih-bull)

A

adj. open to suggestion or criticism
adj. accountable

A good manager is amenable to his employee’s new ideas.

129
Q

Define:

analgesic

(ann-ul-djee-zick)

A

n. pain reliever

After the surgery, the doctor prescribed an analgesic for her patient’s leg.

130
Q

Define:

anecdote

(ann-ik-dote)

A

n. a story of a specific incident, used as an example or for entertainment

The actor’s acceptance speech included an anecdote about his first audition.

131
Q

Define:

annul

(uh-null)

A

v. to declare invalid

The couple had their marriage annulled when it was revealed that the groom was still married to another woman.

132
Q

Define:

didactic

(die-dak-tick)

A

adj. overly instructive or preachy

He may mean well, but Pat’s efforts to help come across as fussy and didactic.

133
Q

Define:

diffident

(diff-ih-dunt)

A

adj. lacking confidence; restrained or reserved

Since it was her first day, Lucy ventured only diffident answers to her superiors’ requests for input.

134
Q

Define:

diffuse

(v. dih-fewz; adj. dih-fewss)

A

v. to spread out
adj. widely spread, scattered
adj. wordy and rambling

Such a diffuse network of law enforcement will not be able to eliminate all instances of crime.

135
Q

Define:

dilapidated

(dih-lap-ih-date-id)

A

adj. ruined, worn down

The abandoned house was dilapidated from years of neglect.

136
Q

Define:

dilate

(die-late)

A

v. to widen or enlarge
v. to give a long speech on a subject

The eye drops dilated his pupils so the eye doctor could better examine them.

137
Q

Define:

dilettante

(dill-ih-tont)

A

n. an amateur
n. a patron of the arts

The dance school accepted dilettantes as well as trained professionals.

138
Q

Define:

dirge

(durge)

A

n. a mournful song

We heard a chorus singing a dirge as the funeral procession began.

139
Q

Define:

disabuse

(diss-uh-bewz)

A

v. to free from a misconception or error in thought

Luke made it his goal to disabuse his students of the notion that they didn’t need to work hard to do well.

140
Q

Define:

disaffect

(diss-uh-fect)

A

v. to make someone lose loyalty or affection

Her attention-seeking behavior disaffected many of her classmates.

141
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the medieval study of transforming lead into gold

A

alchemy

(al-kuh-me)

synonyms: sorcery, wizardry, medieval science

142
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to state that something is true without providing proof

A

allege

(uh-ledge)

synonyms: assert, claim

143
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to refer to another concept indirectly

A

allude

(uh-lewd)

synonyms: bring up, imply, mention

144
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. selfless concern for others

A

altruism

(al-true-iz-um)

synonyms: charity, kindness

145
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. indifference or confused feelings

A

ambivalence

(am-biv-uh-lunce)

synonyms: confusion, dilemma, hesitation

146
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to walk slowly

A

amble

(am-bul)

synonyms: saunter, drag

147
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to make better

A

ameliorate

(uh-meal-yuh-rate)

synonyms: amend, help

148
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. open to suggestion or criticism
adj. accountable

A

amenable

(uh-men-ih-bull)

synonyms: willing, cooperative; chargeable, liable

149
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. pain reliever

A

analgesic

(ann-ul-djee-zick)

synonyms: painkiller, soother

150
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a story of a specific incident, used as an example or for entertainment

A

anecdote

(ann-ik-dote)

synonyms: episode, account, chronicle

151
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to declare invalid

A

annul

(uh-null)

synonyms: void, abolish, cancel

152
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. overly instructive or preachy

A

didactic

(die-dak-tick)

synonyms: advisory, sermonic, bookish

153
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. lacking confidence; restrained or reserved

A

diffident

(diff-ih-dunt)

synonyms: hesitant, unconfident

154
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to spread out
adj. widely spread, scattered
adj. wordy and rambling

A

diffuse

(v. dih-fewz; adj. dih-fewss)

synonyms: delocalized, verbose, prolix

155
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. ruined, worn down

A

dilapidated

(dih-lap-ih-date-id)

synonyms: ramshackle, wasted, decayed

156
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to widen or enlarge
v. to give a long speech on a subject

A

dilate

(die-late)

synonyms: stretch, amplify; hold forth

157
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. an amateur
n. a patron of the arts

A

dilettante

(dill-ih-tont)

synonyms: green, unskilled; artist, connoisseur

158
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a mournful song

A

dirge

(durge)

synonyms: death song, lament, funeral hymn

159
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to free from a misconception or error in thought

A

disabuse

(diss-uh-bewz)

synonyms: correct, debunk

160
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to make someone lose loyalty or affection

A

disaffect

(diss-uh-fect)

synonyms: alienate, antagonize

161
Q

Define:

discern

(dih-surn)

A

v. to see clearly

From a distance, it was difficult for Josh to discern who was waving at him.

162
Q

Define:

discomfit

(diss-kum-fit)

A

v. to unsettle
v. to upset or prevent from succeeding

The presence of the victim’s family at the trial discomfited the accused.

163
Q

Define:

hackneyed

(hack-need)

A

adj. overdone or cliché

The student’s poem contained the hackneyed expressions that typically fill teenage diaries.

164
Q

Define:

hallmark

(hall-mark)

A

n. a unique, identifying trait
n. a mark used to indicate the purity of certain metals

Complete obedience is the hallmark of a good soldier.

165
Q

Define:

harangue

(huh-rang)

A

v. to speak with intense emotions
n. a rant

The lobbyists arrived at the senator’s office expecting to make a deal, but instead they received a 45-minute harangue from the angry politician.

166
Q

Define:

hedonism

(heed-in-iz-um)

A

n. dedication to pursuing pleasure

Jake’s hedonism became apparent when he quit his job rather than cancel his trip to the Bahamas.

167
Q

Define:

tan

(tan)

A

v. to whip
v. to make leather out of animal hide

He spent days tanning the leather properly.

168
Q

Define:

heretical

(huh-ret-ih-kull)

A

adj. differing from official beliefs

Galileo’s discoveries of the nature of Earth’s place in the universe were considered heretical at the time.

169
Q

Define:

hieroglyphic

(high-ruh-glif-ik)

A

adj. difficult to understand, mysterious

The students could not read the teacher’s hieroglyphic writing on the board.

170
Q

Define:

homogenous

(hoe-modj-ih-nus)

A

adj. composed of similar or identical parts

The audience was mostly a homogenous group of fashion design students, though one or two engineering students also attended.

171
Q

Define:

hone

(hone)

A

v. to perfect
v. to sharpen

The swimmers spent all day in the water trying to hone their skills before the meet.

172
Q

Define:

husband

(huz-bund)

A

v. to conserve

The campers knew they would have to husband their supplies on their trip.

173
Q

Define:

nonplussed

(non-plust)

A

adj. confused

She was nonplussed when her mother scolded her for no apparent reason.

174
Q

Define:

noxious

(knock-shuss)

A

adj. harmful in a physical or moral way

Unfortunately, the group did not notice the noxious gas until it had claimed several victims.

175
Q

Define:

nuance

(new-awnss)

A

n. a small difference

A trained scientist is sensitive to the nuances between these two seemingly identical procedures.

176
Q

Define:

obdurate

(ob-duh-ritt)

A

adj. stubborn; inflexible and unyielding
adj. emotionally cold; not compassionate

Even when the witness began to cry, the accused remained obdurate and detached.

177
Q

Define:

obsequious

(ob-see-kwee-us)

A

adj. very submissive and flattering

In industries where obsequious service is expected, one generally leaves a tip.

178
Q

Define:

obstinate

(ob-stuh-nitt)

A

adj. stubborn

The obstinate woman refused to move out of the other customers’ way.

179
Q

Define:

obviate

(ob-vee-ehyt)

A

v. to anticipate and prevent
v. to make obsolete

The Internet has all but obviated the need for radio stations.

180
Q

Define:

occlude

(uh-clued)

A

v. to close or block off
v. to combine opposite surfaces

The only way out of the cabin was occluded by a mound of fresh snow.

181
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to see clearly

A

discern

(dih-surn)

synonyms: note, notice, focus

182
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to unsettle
v. to upset or prevent from succeeding

A

discomfit

(diss-kum-fit)

synonyms: frustrate, annoy

183
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. overdone or cliché

A

hackneyed

(hack-need)

synonyms: tired, common

184
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a unique, identifying trait
n. a mark used to indicate the purity of certain metals

A

hallmark

(hall-mark)

synonyms: authentication, emblem, brand

185
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to speak with intense emotions
n. a rant

A

harangue

(huh-rang)

synonyms: diatribe, tirade, speech

186
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. dedication to pursuing pleasure

A

hedonism

(heed-in-iz-um)

synonyms: seeking pleasure and happiness

187
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to whip
v. to make leather out of animal hide

A

tan

(tan)

synonyms: flog, beat

188
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. differing from official beliefs

A

heretical

(huh-ret-ih-kull)

synonyms: unorthodox, disagreeing, dissenting

189
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. difficult to understand, mysterious

A

hieroglyphic

(high-ruh-glif-ik)

synonyms: unclear, unreadable, cryptic

190
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. composed of similar or identical parts

A

homogenous

(hoe-modj-ih-nuss)

synonyms: same, of like parts, uniform

191
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to perfect
v. to sharpen

A

hone

(hone)

synonyms: train, discipline; whet, grind

192
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to conserve

A

husband

(huz-bund)

synonyms: retain, preserve

193
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. confused

A

nonplussed

(non-plust)

synonyms: perplexed, baffled, puzzled

194
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. harmful in a physical or moral way

A

noxious

(knock-shuss)

synonyms: dangerous, corrupt

195
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a small difference

A

nuance

(new-awnss)

synonyms: degree, subtlety

196
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. emotionally cold; not compassionate

A

obdurate

(ob-duh-ritt)

synonyms: insensitive, apathetic

197
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. very submissive and flattering

A

obsequious

(ob-see-kwee-us)

synonyms: flattering, sycophantic

198
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. stubborn

A

obstinate

(ob-stuh-nitt)

synonyms: stubborn, determined

199
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to anticipate and prevent
v. to make obsolete

A

obviate

(ob-vee-ehyt)

synonyms: anticipate, counteract; inhibit, stymie

200
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to close or block off
v. to combine opposite surfaces

A

occlude

(uh-clued)

synonyms: clog, prevent, choke, congest, smother

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