Set 29 Flashcards

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1
Q

propitious

A

giving or indicating a good chance of success

favorable

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2
Q

ominous

A

giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen

threatening

inauspicious

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3
Q

detente

A

the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries

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4
Q

outlandish

A

looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar

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5
Q

abscond

A

leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful action such as theft

run away

flee

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6
Q

imbroglio

A

an extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation

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7
Q

languish

A

weaken, deteriorate, waste away, be disregarded, experience hardship

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8
Q

nimble

A

quick and light in movement or action

agile

(of the mind) quick to comprehend

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9
Q

prurient

A

having or encouraging an excessive interest in sexual matters

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10
Q

bawdy

A

dealing with sexual matters in a comical way

humorously indecent

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11
Q

croon

A

hum or sing in a soft, low voice, especially in a sentimental manner

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12
Q

aspersion

A

an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something

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13
Q

nadir

A

the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization

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14
Q

dowdy

A

(of a person or their clothes) unfashionable and without style in appearance (typically used of a woman)

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15
Q

sadistic

A

deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others

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16
Q

echelon

A

level, rank, position (MILITARY)

17
Q

depose

A

remove from office suddenly and forcefully

(LAW) testify to or give (evidence) on oath, typically in a written
statement

18
Q

apogee

A

the highest point in the development of something; a climax or culmination

19
Q

ennui

A

a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement

20
Q

collude

A

cooperate in a secret or unlawful way in order to deceive or gain an advantage over others

21
Q

conviction

A

declaration (or pronouncement) of guilt, sentence, judgement

a firmly held belief, the quality of showing that one is firmly convinced of what one believes or says

22
Q

conflagration

A

an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property

23
Q

chagrin

A

distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated

24
Q

contretemps

A

a minor dispute or disagreement

an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence

25
Q

commiserate

A

offer sympathy to, be moved by, condole with

26
Q

zenith

A

the time at which something is most powerful or successful

27
Q

fulcrum

A

the point on which a lever rests or is supported and on which it pivots

a thing that plays a central or essential role in an activity, event, or situation

28
Q

expatiate

A

speak or write at length or in detail

29
Q

jocund

A

cheerful and lighthearted

30
Q

fraught

A

(fraught with) (of a situation or course of action) filled with or likely to result in (something undesirable)

causing or affected by anxiety or stress