Set4 Flashcards
jaundice
【1】n. to affect with the negativity or bitterness of jaundice; bias
jaunty
【1】adj. sprightly in manner or appearance: lively
jejune
【1】adj. not interesting; dull【2】adj. having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children
jest
【1】n. a frivolous mood or manner
jeopardy
【1】n. risk of loss or injury; peril or danger
jettison
【1】vt. to cast overboard or off
jibe
【1】vi. to be in accord: agree
jingoist
【1】n. extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy
jitters
【1】n. a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
jocular
【1】adj. characterized by joking, playful
jocund
【1】adj. sprightly and lighthearted in disposition, character, or quality
jog
【2】vi. to rouse or stimulate
jolt
【1】vi. to move or dislodge with a sudden, hard blow【 2】v. to cause an unpleasant surprise for
jot
【1】vt . to write briefly or hurriedly
jovial
【1】adj. markedly good-humored especially as evidenced by jollity and conviviality
jubilant
【1】adj. exultingly joyful
judicious
【1】adj. having or exhibiting sound judgment; prudent
juggernaut
【1】n. an overwhelming, advancing force that crushes everything in its path
ken
【1】n. the range of vision【2】vt. to know (a person or thing)
kindle
【1】vt. to build or fuel (a fire); to set fire to; ignite
kindred
【1】adj. having a similar or related origin, nature, or character
knack
【1】n. a clever trick or stratagem; a clever way of doing something
knead
【1】vt. to make or shape by or as if by folding, pressing, and stretching with the hands
knit
【1】vt. to form by interlacing yarn or thread in a series of connected loops with needles【2】vt. to join closely; unite securely
knotty
【1】adj. marked by or full of knots especially: so full of difficulties and complications as to be likely to defy solution
kudos
【1】n. fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement【2】n. acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement
labile
【1】adj. continually undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change; unstable
laborious
【1】adj. hard-working; industrious【2】adj. marked by or requiring long, hard work
labyrinthine
【1】adj. of, relating to, resembling, or constituting a labyrinth; extremely complexor tortuous in structure
lacerate
【1】vt. to cause deep emotional pain to; distress
lackluster
【1】adj. lacking brightness, luster, or vitality
lachrymose
【1】adj. tending to cause tears, mournful
lambaste
【1】vt. to scold sharply; berate
lampoon
【1】n. a harsh satire usually directed against an individual
languid
【1】adj. lacking energy or vitality; weak
languish
【1】vi. to be or become feeble, weak, or enervated
languor
【1】n. physical or mental inertness【2】n. weakness or weariness of body or mind
lank
【1】adj. long, straight, and limp; not stiff in structure【2】adj. not stiff in structure
lapse
【1】n. a slight error typically due to forgetfulness or inattention【2】v. to come to an end
largesse
【1】n. something given to someone without expectation of a return【2】n. liberality in giving or willingness to give
lash
【1】n. a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument【2】v. to strike against with force or violence【3】vt. to bind with or as if with a line
latent
【1】adj. present or potential but not evident or active
latitude
【1】n. freedom from normal restraints, limitations, or regulations
laudatory
【1】adj. of, relating to, or expressing praise
lavish
【1】adj. characterized by or produced with extravagance and profusion【2】v. to give readily and in large quantities; to use up carelessly
leaven
【1】vt. to mingle or permeate with some modifying, alleviating, or vivifying element
leer
【1】vi. to cast a sidelong glance
leery
【1】adj. suspicious or distrustful; wary
lethal
【1】adj. extremely harmful; devastating
lethargic
【1】adj. of, relating to, or characterized by lethargy, sluggish
levelheaded
【1】adj. characteristically self-composed and sensible
levity
【1】n. excessive or unseemly frivolity
liberal
【2】adj. marked by generosity
libertine
【1】n. one who acts without moral restraint; a dissolute person
licentious
【1】adj. lacking legal or moral restraints ; having a strong sexual desireindustry
liken
【1】vt. to see, mention, or show as similar; compare
lumber
【2】vi. to walk or move with heavy clumsiness【3】vi. to place a weight or burden on
luminary
【】n. a person who has achieved eminence in a specific fieldthe gala.
lurch
【1】v. to move forward while swaying from side to side
lurk
【1】vi. to lie in wait in a place of concealment especially for an evil purpose
lush
【1】adj. growing vigorously especially with luxuriant foliage【2】adj. producing abundantly【3】adj. appealing to the senses
lustrous
【1】adj. having a shiny surface or finish
luxurious
【1】adj. showing obvious signs of wealth and comfort【2】adj. given to or marked by excessive gratification of one’s desires
macabre
【1】adj. suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome
macerate
【1】vt. to make soft by soaking or steeping in a liquid
maculate
【1】v. to spot, blemish
maelstrom
【1】n. a powerful often violent whirlpool sucking in objects within a given radius【2】n. a violent or turbulent situation
maladroit
【1】adj. lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one’s hands
malaise
【1】n. a vague feeling of bodily discomfort, as at the beginning of an illness
malcontent
【1】n. one who is in active opposition to an established order or government【2】adj. dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs
malicious
【1】adj. given to, marked by, or arising from malice; deliberately harmful
malign
【1】adj. having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it【2】vt. to utter injuriously misleading or false reports about: speak evil of
malinger
【】 vi. to pretend or exaggerate incapacity or illness (as to avoid duty or work)
malleable
【1】adj. capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer or by the pressure ofrollers【2】adj. capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or influences
mangle
【1】vt. to injure with deep disfiguring wounds by cutting, tearing, or crushing【2】vt. to ruin or spoil through ineptitude or ignorance
mangy
【1】adj. mean; contemptible
manifest
【1】adj. clearly apparent to the sight or understanding; obvious【2】v. to make evident or certain by showing or displaying
mannered
【1】adj. having an artificial or stilted character
manumit
【1】v. to release from slavery or bondage
manuscript
【1】n. a book, document, or other composition written by hand
marsh
【1】n. an area of soft, wet, low-lying land
martinet
【1】n. a strict disciplinarian
marvel
【1】n. one that evokes surprise, admiration, or wonder【2】v. to feel amazement or bewilderment at or about
masquerade
【1】n. a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive【2】v. to disguise oneself
mash
【1】v. to cause to become a pulpy mass
maudlin
【1】adj. effusively or tearfully sentimental
maven
【1】n. one who is experienced or knowledgeable: expert
mawkish
【1】adj. excessively and objectionably sentimental
meager
【1】adj. deficient in quantity, fullness, or extent; scanty
meander
【1】vi. to move aimlessly and idly without fixed direction
measly
【1】adj. so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention
meddle
【1】vi. to intrude into other people’s affairs or business; interfere
mediocre
【1】adj. moderate to inferior in quality; ordinary
medley
【1】adj. an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
meek
【1】adj. showing patience and humility; gentle【2】adj. easily imposed on; submissive
mellifluous
【1】adj. smooth and sweet
melodramatic
【1】adj. exaggeratedly emotional or sentimental; histrionic
menace
【1】vt. to make a show of intention to harm; to place in danger
mendacious
【1】adj. telling or containing lies
mercenary
【1】n. a professional soldier hired for service in a foreign army【2】adj. motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain
mercurial
【1】adj. characterized by rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood
merited
【1】adj. being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
mesh
【1】v. to catch or hold as if in a net
mesmeric
【1】adj. of, relating to, or induced by mesmerism【2】adj. attracting and holding interest as if by a spell
metamorphose
【1】vt. to change into a different physical form especially by supernatural means
metaphysical
【1】adj. dealing with or expressing a quality or idea【2】adj. of, relating to, or being part of a reality beyond the observable physical universe
meteoric
【1】adj. similar to a meteor in speed, brilliance, or brevity
mettle
【1】n. vigor and strength of spirit or temperament【2】n. staying quality: stamina
miff
【1】vt. to cause to become offended or annoyed
migratory
【1】adj. having a way of life that involves moving from one region to another typically on a seasonal basis
milk
【1】vt. to draw or coerce profit or advantage from illicitly or to an extreme degree
mime
【1】v. to use (someone or something) as the model for one’s speech, mannerisms, or behavior
minatory
【1】adj. being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
mince
【1】vt. to cut or chop into very small pieces【2】vi. to walk with very short steps or with exaggerated primness
mingle
【1】vi. to take part in social activities【2】vt. to mix so that the components become united
mint
【1】n. an abundant amount, especially of money
miniscule
【1】adj. very small
minute
【1】adj. characterized by careful scrutiny and close examination【2】adj. very small or of small importance
minutia
【1】n. a minute or minor detail
mirage
【1】n. something illusory and unattainable like a mirage
mire
【1】n. a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape【2】vt. to hamper or hold back as if by mire
mirth
【1】n. gladness or gaiety as shown by or accompanied with laughter
misanthropic
【1】adj. having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives
mischievous
【1】adj. playful in a naughty or teasing way【2】adj. causing harm or trouble
misconstrue
【1】vt. to mistake the meaning of
miscreant
【1】n. one who behaves criminally or viciously
misdemeanor
【1】n. a crime less serious than a felony
miserly
【1】adj. marked by grasping meanness and penuriousness
misgiving
【1】n. a feeling of doubt or suspicion especially concerning a future event
mishap
【1】n. an unfortunate accident
misrepresent
【1】vt. to give an incorrect or misleading representation of
mite
【1】n. a very small object, creature, or particle, a very small sum of money
modicum
【1】n. a small portion; a limited quantity
mollycoddle
【1】vt. to treat with an excessive or absurd degree of indulgence and attention
molt
【1】vi. to shed hair, feathers, shell, horns, or an outer layer periodically
momentous
【1】adj. of utmost importance; of outstanding significance or consequence
mongrel
【1】adj. of mixed origin or character
monochromatic
【1】adj. having or consisting of one color or hue【2】adj. lacking variety, creativity, or excitement
monologue
【1】n. a dramatic sketch performed by one actor
montage
【1】n. an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
morbid
【1】adj. affected with or induced by disease【2】adj. characterized by preoccupation with unwholesome thoughts or feelings
mordant
【1】adj. biting and caustic in thought, manner, or style
moribund
【1】adj. approaching death; about to die【2】adj. on the verge of becoming obsolete
mosaic
【1】n. an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
mosque
【1】n. a building used for public worship by Muslim
moth-eaten
【1】adj. having passed its time of use or usefulness
motile
【1】adj. exhibiting or capable of movement
motley
【1】adj. (especially of colors) having elements of great variety or incongruity
mottle
【1】vt. to mark with spots or blotches of different shades or colors
muddy
【1】adj. not clean【2】adj. lacking in clarity or brightness【3】v. to make (something) unclear to the understanding
muffle
【1】vt. to wrap or pad in order to deaden the sound
mulish
【1】adj. unreasonably and inflexibly obstinate
mumble
【1】v. to utter words in a low confused indistinct manner
munificent
【1】adj. very liberal in giving
murky
【1】adj. being without light or without much light【2】adj. lacking clarity or distinctness
murmur
【1】n. a low, indistinct, continuous sound【2】v. to complain in low mumbling tones; grumble
mutate
【1】v. to undergo or cause to undergo mutation
mutter
【1】vi. to murmur complainingly or angrily
myopic
【1】adj. a lack of foresight or discernment
myriad
【1】adj. constituting a very large, indefinite number
nadir
【1】n. the lowest point
narcissism
【1】n. excessive love or admiration of oneself
nascent
【1】adj. coming or having recently come into existence
natty
【1】adj. trimly neat and tidy
nauseate
【1】v. to feel or cause to feel loathing or disgust
nautical
【1】adj. of, relating to, or characteristic of ships, shipping, sailors, or navigation on a body ofwater
naysay
【1】vt. to oppose, deny, or take a pessimistic or negative view of
nebulous
【1】adj. indistinct, vague
needy
【1】adj. being in need; impoverished, poor
nefarious
【1】adj. flagrantly wicked or impious
negation
【1】n. the opposite or absence of something regarded as actual, positive, or affirmative
negligent
【1】adj. failing to give proper attention or care
nettle
【1】vt. to arouse to sharp but transitory annoyance or anger
nicety
【1】n. careful attention to details; delicate exactness【2】n. a fine point or distinction
nexus
【1】n. a means of connection【2】n. a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
nibble
【1】vt. to eat with small, quick bites or in small morsels
nip
【1】n. a very small amount【2】vi. to sip (alcoholic liquor) in small amounts
nitpick
【1】v. to criticize by nit-picking
noisome
【1】adj. noxious, harmful【2】adj. offensive to the senses and especially to the sense of smell【3】adj. highly obnoxious or objectionable
nomad
【1】adj./n. a member of a people who have no fixed residence but move from place to place usually seasonally and within a well-defined territorywandering, wayfaring
nominal
【1】adj. so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention【2】adj. existing or being something in name or form only
nondescript
【1】adj. lacking distinctive or interesting qualities
nonentity
【1】n. a person or thing of little consequence or significance【2】n. a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
nonplus
【1】vt. use to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do: perplex
notch
【1】n. a V-shaped cut. Such a cut used for keeping a record【2】v. to obtain (as a goal) through effort
noxious
【1】adj. harmful to living things; injurious to health【2】adj. causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
nuance
【1】n. a subtle distinction or variation
nudge
【1】vt. to seek the attention of by a push of the elbow【2】vt. to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
nugatory
【1】adj. of little or no consequence; inconsequentialweighty
nurture
【1】vt. to supply with nourishment【2】vt. to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
obeisance
【1】n. a movement of the body made in token of respect or submission
obfuscate
【1】vt. to make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand
obligatory
【1】adj. of the nature of an obligation; compulsory【2】adj. used or heard so often as to be dull
obliging
【1】adj. willing to do favors
oblique
【1】adj. inclined or twisted to one side
obliterate
【1】vt. to remove from existence
oblivious
【1】adj. lacking conscious awareness; not informed about or aware of somethingwitting
obloquy
【1】n. abusively detractive language or utterance; calumny【2】n. the state of having lost the esteem of others
obscure
【1】adj. not clearly understood or expressed; having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning【2】adj. not prominent or famous【3】v. to make dark, dim, or indistinct
obstreperous
【1】adj. stubbornly resistant to control; unruly; given to resisting authority or another’s control【2】adj. engaging in or marked by loud and insistent cries especially of protest
