Set 10 Flashcards
acumen
the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions
e.g. His sharp business acumen meant he quickly rose to the top
antithesis
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
ascribe
regard something as being due to (a cause) / assign
e.g. An autopsy eventually ascribes the baby’s death to sudden infant death syndrome
befuddled
cause to become unable to think clearly
e.g. She was befuddled and did not know what she was doing
eschew
deliberately avoid using
abstain from
e.g. Although he appeared to enjoy a jet-setting life, he eschewed publicity and avoided nightclubs
esoteric
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
evasive
tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by responding only indirectly
e.g. Direct questions would almost certainly result in evasive answers
exculpate
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
expedite
make (an action or process) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly
e.g. We tried to help you expedite your plans
fastidious
very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
e.g. He was fastidious about his appearance
feign
pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state or injury)
furtive
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
hamper
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
indispensable
absolutely necessary
lament
a passionate expression of grief or sorrow
e.g. Ken began to lament the death of his only son
myopic
short-sighted
lacking foresight or intellectual insight
e.g. The Government still has a myopic attitude to spending
nonchalant
(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
partial
existing only in part; incomplete
favouring one side in a dispute above the other; biased
having a liking for
pensive
engaged in, involving or reflecting deep or serious thoughts
e.g. He looked suddenly sombre, pensive
portend
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
provincial
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
rudimentary
involving or limited to basic principles
salutary
(especially with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial
e.g. It was a salutary experience to be in the minority
sever
divide by cutting or slicing, especially suddenly and forcibly
put an end to (a connection or relationship); break off
slight
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
somnolent
sleepy; drowsy
e.g. The sedative makes people very somnolent
stoic
a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining
a member of the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism
supersede
take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); supplant
tout
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
wane
(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
