Section 1 (1-100) Flashcards
Despondent
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage
sedulous
showing dedication and diligence
benign
gentle and kindly/(of climate): mild, favorable, not harmful
tact
adroitness and sensitivity dealing with others or with difficult issues
adroit
clever or skillful in using the hands or mind
officious
assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters.
barb
a sharp projection near the end of an arrow, fishhook, or similar item, angled away from the main point so as to make extraction difficult.
superintend
be responsible for the management or arrangement of (an activity or organization); oversee
oubliette
a secret dungeon with access only through a trapdoor in its ceiling.
portent
a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen
portentous
done in a pompously or overly solemn manner so as to impress
laconic
(of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words
Embankment
a wall or bank of earth or stone built to prevent a river flooding an area/a bank of earth or stone built to carry a road or railroad over an area of low ground:
bullock
another term for steer
tactile
of or connected with the sense of touch, perceptible by touch or apparently so; tangible, designed to be perceived by touch, (of a person) given to touching others, especially as an unselfconscious expression of sympathy or affection:
repent
feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin
diatribe
a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something
exalt
hold (someone or something) in very high regard; think or speak very highly of, raise to a higher rank or a position of greater power:
jilt
suddenly reject or abandon (a lover), noun form: a person, especially a woman, who capriciously rejects a lover
sepulchral
relating to a tomb or interment, gloomy; dismal
nave
the central part of a church building, intended to accommodate most of the congregation. In traditional Western churches it is rectangular, separated from the chancel by a step or rail, and from adjacent aisles by pillars.
transepts
(in a cross-shaped church) either of the two parts forming the arms of the cross shape, projecting at right angles from the nave
pernicious
having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way
souse
to soak or drench with liquid
recumbent
(especially of a person or human figure) lying down
prelate
a bishop or other high ecclesiastical dignitary.
creed
a system of Christian or other religious belief; a faith:
chasten
discipline, punish
admonish
to warn or reprimand someone firmly
impertinent
not showing proper respect
curate
a member of the clergy engaged as assistant to a vicar, rector, or parish priest
contrite (contrition)
feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt:
lunette
an arched aperture or window, especially one in a domed ceiling.
assent
the expression of approval or agreement
empyrean
relating to heaven or the sky
pictorial
of or expressed in pictures; illustrated
parishioner
an inhabitant of a parish, especially one who belongs to or attends a particular church.
parish
(in the Christian Church) a small administrative district typically having its own church and a priest or pastor:
sidle
walk in a furtive, unobtrusive, or timid manner, especially sideways or obliquely
russet
reddish brown in color, rustic; homely
complacent
showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements
anecdote
a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person
confute
prove (a person or an assertion) to be wrong
baize
a coarse, typically green woolen material resembling felt, used especially for covering pool, snooker, and billiard tables
panorama
an unbroken view of the whole region surrounding an observer
imperious
assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering
parapet
a low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony
impudent
not showing due respect for another person; impertinent
reticule
a woman’s small handbag, originally netted and typically having a drawstring and decorated with embroidery or beading.
insinuate
suggest or hint (something bad or reprehensible) in an indirect and unpleasant way
chaplain
a member of the clergy attached to a private chapel, institution, ship, branch of the armed forces
petulant
(of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered
effrontery
insolent or impertinent behavior
libel
a published false statement that is damaging to a person’s reputation; a written defamation
interpose
place or insert between one thing and another
inextricable
impossible to disentangle or separate
maudlin
self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness
mordant
(especially of humor) having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting
monograph
a detailed written study of a single specialized subject or an aspect of it
promontory
a point of high land that juts out into a large body of water; a headland
bohemian (uncapitalized)
a socially unconventional person, especially one who is involved in the arts
usurp
take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force
remould
change the appearance, structure, or character of
cataract
a large waterfall
cosmopolitan
familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures
epigram
a pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way, a short poem, especially a satirical one, having a witty or ingenious ending
placid
(of a person or animal) not easily upset or excited
glib
(of words or the person speaking them) fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow
contretemps
a minor dispute or disagreement, an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence
fructify
make (something) fruitful or productive
temperate
showing moderation or self-restraint
obstinate
stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so
modulate
exert a modifying or controlling influence on, vary the strength, tone, or pitch of (one’s)
self-abasement
the belittling or humiliation of oneself
ascetic
characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons
reticence
not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily
patronize
treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays a feeling of superiority
rector
a member of the clergy who has charge of a parish.
flippant
not showing a serious or respectful attitude
languid
of a person, manner, or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed
remiss
lacking care or attention to duty; negligent
parochial
relating to a church parish
effusive
expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner
surreptitious
kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of
prerogative
a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class
deride
express contempt for; ridicule
portly
having a stout body; somewhat fat (used especially of a man):
dowager
a widow with a title or property derived from her late husband
bracken
a tall fern with coarse lobed fronds, which occurs worldwide and can cover large areas
seamy
sordid and disreputable
prudish
having or revealing a tendency to be easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity; excessively concerned with sexual propriety
affluence
the state of having a great deal of money; wealth
consecrate
make or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose
dispell
get rid of
peevish
easily irritated, especially by unimportant things
supplant
supersede and replace
supersede
take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); supplant
duly
in accordance with what is required or appropriate; following proper procedure or arrangement
puerile
childishly silly and trivial
