Set 10 Flashcards

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1
Q

acumen

A

the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions
e.g. His sharp business acumen meant he quickly rose to the top

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2
Q

antithesis

A

a person or a thing that is direct opposite of someone or something else

(in Hegelian philosophy) the negation of the thesis as the second stage in the process of dialectical reasoning

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3
Q

ascribe

A

regard something as being due to (a cause) / assign
e.g. An autopsy eventually ascribes the baby’s death to sudden infant death syndrome

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4
Q

befuddled

A

cause to become unable to think clearly
e.g. She was befuddled and did not know what she was doing

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5
Q

eschew

A

deliberately avoid using

abstain from
e.g. Although he appeared to enjoy a jet-setting life, he eschewed publicity and avoided nightclubs

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6
Q

esoteric

A

intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialised knowledge or interest
e.g. His esoteric interests set him apart from his contemporaries

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7
Q

evasive

A

tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by responding only indirectly
e.g. Direct questions would almost certainly result in evasive answers

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8
Q

exculpate

A

show or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing
e.g. However, none of this should be used to excuse or exculpate our own misdeeds

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9
Q

expedite

A

make (an action or process) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly
e.g. We tried to help you expedite your plans

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10
Q

fastidious

A

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
e.g. He was fastidious about his appearance

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11
Q

feign

A

pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state or injury)

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12
Q

furtive

A

attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guild or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble, secretive
e.g. With a furtive glance over her shoulder, she unlocked the door and entered the house

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13
Q

hamper

A

hinder or impede the movement or progress of

a basket with a carrying handle and a hinged lid, used for food, cutlery and plates on a picnic

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14
Q

indispensable

A

absolutely necessary

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15
Q

lament

A

a passionate expression of grief or sorrow
e.g. Ken began to lament the death of his only son

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16
Q

myopic

A

short-sighted

lacking foresight or intellectual insight
e.g. The Government still has a myopic attitude to spending

17
Q

nonchalant

A

(of a person or manner) feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm
e.g. Clark’s mother is nonchalant about her role in her son’s latest work

18
Q

partial

A

existing only in part; incomplete

favouring one side in a dispute above the other; biased

having a liking for

19
Q

pensive

A

engaged in, involving or reflecting deep or serious thoughts
e.g. He looked suddenly sombre, pensive

20
Q

portend

A

be a sign of warning that (something, especially something momentous or calamitous) is likely to happen
e.g. The change did not portend a basic improvement in social conditions

21
Q

provincial

A

of or concerning a province or country or empire

of or concerning the regions outside the capital city of a country, especially when regarded as unsophisticated or narrow-minded

22
Q

rudimentary

A

involving or limited to basic principles

23
Q

salutary

A

(especially with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial
e.g. It was a salutary experience to be in the minority

24
Q

sever

A

divide by cutting or slicing, especially suddenly and forcibly

put an end to (a connection or relationship); break off

25
Q

slight

A

insult (someone) by treating or speaking of them without proper respect or attention
e.g. They felt slighted by not being adequately consulted

small in degree; inconsiderable

(of a person or their build) not sturdy; thin or slender

26
Q

somnolent

A

sleepy; drowsy
e.g. The sedative makes people very somnolent

27
Q

stoic

A

a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining

a member of the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism

28
Q

supersede

A

take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); supplant

29
Q

tout

A

attempt to sell (something), typically by a direct or persistent approach;
attempt to persuade people of the merits of
e.g. It has the trappings of an election campaign in the United States, with slick television ads touting the candidates

30
Q

wane

A

(of a state or feeling) decrease in vigor or extent; become weaker
e.g. While his interest in these sports began to wane, a passion for rugby developed

(of the moon) have a progressively smaller part of its visible surface illuminated, so that it appears to decrease in size