Set 7 Flashcards
appease
pacify or placate by acceding to their demands; assuage or satisfy
e.g. The offer has not appeased seperatists
arbitrary
based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system
e.g. Arbitrary arrests and detention without trial were common
(of power or a ruling body) unrestrained and autocratic in the use of authority
e.g. It is test case for the supremacy of law over arbitrary power
archaic
very old or old-fashioned
e.g. Archaic practices such as these are pit forward by people of limited outlook
clamorous
making a loud and confused noise; expressing or characterized by vehement protests or demands
e.g. She longed for siblings and pets and a lively, clamorous household
dearth
a scarcity or lack of something
e.g. .. the dearth of good fiction by English authors
explicable
able to be accounted for or understood
e.g. The older I grow, the stranger and less explicable the world appears to be
hyperbole
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
e.g. The claim that Vendée is an aquatic Everest is not mere hyperbole
immutable
unchanging over time or unable to be changed
e.g. .. the eternal and immutable principles of right or wrong
indefatigable
(of a person or their efforts) persisting timelessly
e.g. His indefatigable spirit helped him cope with his illness
indolent
wanting to avoid activity of exertion; lazy
e.g. .. indolent teenagers who won’t lift a finger to help
(of a disease or condition) causing little or no pain
e.g. .. an indolent cyst
insular
ignorant or uninterested in cultures, ideas or peoples outside one’s own experiences
e.g. .. the old image of the insular, xenophobic Brit
intransigent
unwilling or refusing to change one’s views or to agree about something
e.g. They put pressure on the Government to change its intransigent stance
intrepid
fearless adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect) e.g. *Prizes are on offer for the most **intrepid** explorers*
irreverent
showing or lack of respect for people or things that are in generally taken seriously
e.g. Taylor combined great knowledge with an irreverent attitude to history
loathe
feel intense dislike or disgust for
e.g. She loathed being the child of impoverished laborers
malign
evil in nature or effect
speak about (someone) in spitefully critical manner e.g. *We **maligned** him dreadfully when you come to think about it*
malleable
easily influenced; pliable
e.g. She was young enough to be malleable
neophyte
a person who is new to a subject or activity
e.g. .. a self-proclaimed political neophyte
a new convert to a religion
plastic
not genuine; artificial or unnatural
e.g. .. plastic airline food
(of a substance or material) easily shaped or moulded
e.g. The mud is smooth, soft and plastic as butter
platitude
a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful
e.g. Why couldn’t you sat something original instead of spouting the same old platitudes?
prescient
having or showing knowledge of events before they take place
e.g. Over the years he’s demonstrated a certain prescience in foreign affairs
pristine
in its original condition; un-spoilt
e.g. Now the house is in pristine condition
reproach
express to (someone) one's disapproval of or disappointment in their actions e.g. *She is quick to **reproach** anyone who doesn't live up to her own high standards*
robust
strong and healthy; vigorous
e.g. We’ve always specialized in making very robust, simply designed machinery
(of wine or food) string or rich in flavor or smell
salubrious
health-giving; healthy
(of a place) pleasant; not run-down
e.g. .. your salubrious lochside hotel
sanction
a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule
e.g. He expressed his opposition to the lifting of sanctions
official permission or approval for an action
e.g. He may now be ready to sanction the use of force
sedulous
(of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence
e.g. His communion services were remarkable for their fervour, and he was a sedulous pastor
soporific
tending to induce drowsiness or sleep
e.g. The warmth of the room and the monotony of the speakers’ voice grew soporific
stern
(of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline
e.g. She issued a stern warning to those who persist in violence
tendentious
expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one
e.g. His analysis was rooted in a somewhat tendentious reading of French history
