Set5 Flashcards
obstruct
【1】vt. to impede, retard, or interfere with; hinder; to create difficulty for the work or activity of【2】vt. to prevent passage through by filling with something
obtuse
【1】adj. not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
obviate
【1】vt. to anticipate and prevent (as a situation) or make unnecessary (as an action)
occult
【1】adj. not easily apprehended or understood : abstruse, mysterious【2】v. to keep secret or shut off from viewveil, blot out, paper over
odium
【1】n. strong dislike, contempt, or aversion
offbeat
【1】adj. noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced
offhand
【1】adj. without premeditation or preparation
officious
【1】adj. thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
offish
【1】adj. Inclined to be distant and reserved; aloof
off-key
【1】adj. being out of accord with what is considered normal or appropriate
ominous
【1】adj. of or being an omen, especially an evil one
omniscient
【1】adj. possessed of universal or complete knowledge
onerous
【1】adj. requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
opaque
【1】adj. impenetrable by light; neither transparent nor translucent【2】adj. so obscure as to be unintelligible
opine
【1】vt. to express opinions
opportune
【1】adj. suitable or convenient for a particular occurrence
opprobrious
【1】adj. expressing contemptuous reproach; scornful or abusive【2】adj. bringing disgrace; shameful or infamous
oration
【1】n. a speech delivered in a high-flown or pompous manner
ossify
【1】vi. to become hardened or conventional and opposed to change
oust
【1】vt. to remove from a position of prominence or power (as a throne)【2】v. to drive or force out
outlandish
【1】adj. strikingly out of the ordinary: bizarre
outmaneuver
【1】vt. to overcome (an opponent) by artful, clever maneuvering
outset
【1】n. beginning, start
outwit
【1】v. to surpass in cleverness or cunning; outsmart
overbearing
【2】adj. overwhelming in power or significance; predominant, coming before all others in importance
overt
【1】adj. open and observable; not hidden, concealed, or secret
overture
【1】n. an introductory section or part, as of a poem; a prelude【2】n. an instrumental composition intended especially as an introduction to an extended work, such as an opera or oratorio
oxymoron
【1】n. a combination of contradictory or incongruous words
pacify
【1】vt. to ease the anger or agitation of
padding
【1】n. the representation of something in terms that go beyond the factsstretching
paean
【1】n. a joyous song or hymn of praise, tribute, thanksgiving, or triumph
painstaking
【1】adj. taking pains: expending, showing, or involving diligent care and effort
palatable
【1】adj. giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses
palatial
【1】adj. of the nature of a palace, as in spaciousness or ornateness
pall
【1】vi. to lose in interest or attraction
palliate
【1】v. to make less severe or intense; mitigate
pallid
【1】adj. lacking in radiance or vitality; dull【2】adj. having an abnormally pale or wan complexion
palmy
【1】adj. marked by prosperity
palter
【1】vi. to act insincerely or deceitfully
paltry
【1】adj. lacking in importance or worth【2】adj. arousing or deserving of one’s loathing and disgust
pan
【1】v./n. a harsh criticism
panache
【1】n. dash or flamboyance in style and action
pandemonium
【1】n. wild uproar or noise
panegyric
【1】n. a eulogistic oration or writing
panoramic
【1】adj. of an unobstructed or complete view of an area in every direction
parable
【1】n. a story intended to teach a basic truth or moral about life
paradigm
【1】n. one that serves as a pattern or model
paragon
【1】n. a model of excellence or perfection of a kind; a peerless example【2】vt. to compare with; parallel
paramount
【1】adj. of chief concern or importance
paranoid
【1】adj. exhibiting or characterized by extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others
parch
【1】vi. to make extremely dry, especially by exposure to heat
pariah
【1】n. one that is despised or rejected, outcast
parity
【1】n. the quality or state of being equal or equivalent
paroxysm
【1】n. a sudden outburst of emotion or action【2】n. a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
parrot
【1】vt. to repeat or imitate, especially without understanding
parsimonious
【1】n. frugal to the point of stinginess
partial
【1】adj. inclined to favor one party more than the other: biased【2】adj. lacking some necessary part
particularize
【1】vt. to go into or give details or particulars
pastiche
【1】n. a literary, artistic, musical, or architectural work that imitates the style of previous work, often with satirical intent【2】n. a pasticcio of incongruous parts; a hodgepodge
patent
【1】adj. readily visible or intelligible: obvious
pathological
【1】adj. being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or markedly abnormal
patina
【1】n. a superficial covering or exterior【2】n. an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character
patrician
【1】n. a man or woman of high birth or social position【2】adj. of high birth, rank, or station
patronize
【1】vt. provide aid or support for【2】v. to adopt an air of condescension toward : treat haughtily or coolly
paunchy
【1】adj. having a potbelly
peck
【1】n. a considerable amount【2】v. to eat reluctantly and in small bites
pedagogue
【1】n. a person whose occupation is to give formal instruction in a school
pedant
【1】n. one who pays undue attention to book learning and formal rules
predestine
【1】vt. to determine the fate of in advance
pedestrian
【2】adj. causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
peeve
【1】vt. to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
pejorative
【1】adj. disparaging; belittling
pellucid
【1】adj. admitting the passage of light【2】adj. transparently clear in style or meaning
pen
【1】n. a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody【2】v. to close or shut in by or as if by barriers
penitent
【1】adj. feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
pensive
【1】adj. given to or marked by long, quiet and often musingly sad thinking
penury
【1】n. extreme dearth; barrenness or insufficiency【2】n. extreme and often niggardly frugality
perambulate
【1】v. to travel over or through especially on foot for exercise or pleasure
peremptory
【1】adj. not allowing contradiction or refusal; imperative【2】adj. fond of ordering people around【3】adj. having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
perfervid
【1】adj. marked by overwrought or exaggerated emotion: excessively fervent
perfidy
【1】n. an act or an instance of disloyalty
perforate
【1】v. to make a hole through
perfunctory
【1】adj. characterized by routine or superficiality and often done merely as a duty【2】adj. lacking in interest or enthusiasm
peripatetic
【1】adj. walking about or from place to place
peripheral
【1】adj. related to, located in, or constituting an outer boundary or periphery【2】adj. available to supply something extra when needed
pernicious
【1】adj. highly injurious or destructive
peroration
【1】n. the concluding part of a discourse and especially an oration【2】n. a usually formal discourse delivered to an audience
persecute
【1】vt. to cause persistent suffering to
persiflage
【1】n. good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks
persistence
【1】n. uninterrupted or lasting existence
personable
【1】adj. pleasing in personality or appearance; attractive
perspicacious
【1】adj. having or showing penetrating mental discernment; clear-sighted
perspicuity
【1】n. the quality of being perspicuous; clearness and lucidity
pertinacious
【1】adj. sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
perturb
【1】vt. to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
peruse
【1】v. to read or examine, typically with great care
pervade
【1】vt. to be present throughout; permeate
pessimistic
【1】adj. tending to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view
petrify
【1】v. to cause to become stiff or stone-like; deaden
petty
【1】adj. of small importance; trivial
philanthropic
【1】adj. having or showing a concern for the welfare of others
philistine
【1】n. a person who is guided by materialism and is usuallydisdainful of intellectual or artistic values
phlegmatic
【1】adj. having or suggesting a calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional
piddling
【1】adj. so trifling or trivial as to be beneath one’s consideration
piebald
【1】adj. of different colors【2】adj. consisting of many things of different sorts
pigment
【1】n. a substance that imparts black or white or a color to other materials【2】vt. to color with or as if with pigment
pilfer
【1】v. to steal stealthily in small amounts
pillar
【1】n. a firm upright support for a superstructure【2】n. something or someone to which one looks for support
pillory
【1】vt. to expose to public contempt, ridicule, or scorn
pilot
【1】n. one employed to steer a ship【2】adj. serving as a tentative model for future experiment or development【3】vt. lead or conduct over a usually difficult course
pine
【1】vi. to yearn intensely and persistently especially for something unattainable【2】vi. to lose vigor, health, or flesh (as through grief)
pinnacle
【1】n. the highest point of development or achievement
pinpoint
【1】adj. located, fixed, or directed with extreme precision【2】v. to locate, fix, determine, or identify with precision
piquant
【1】adj. pleasantly pungent or tart in taste【2】adj. appealingly provocative
pique
【1】vt. to arouse anger or resentment in【2】vt. to excite or arouse especially by a provocation, challenge, or rebuff
pirate
【1】vt. to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right【2】n. a robber on the high seas
pithy
【1】adj. precisely meaningful; forceful and brief
pitiless
【1】adj. devoid of or unmoved by pity
pittance
【1】n. a small portion, amount, or allowance
placebo
【1】n. something of no intrinsic remedial value that is used to appease or reassure another
plagiarize
【1】v. to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own
plangent
【1】adj. having a loud reverberating sound【2】adj. having an expressive and especially plaintive quality
plastic
【1】adj. susceptible of being modified in form or nature【2】adj. lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
plateau
【1】n. a usually extensive level land area raised sharply above adjacent land on at least one side【2】n. a relatively stable level, period, or state
platitude
【1】n. a trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant【2】n. lack of originality
plausible
【1】adj. superficially fair, reasonable, or valuable but often specious
pleat
【1】n./vt. fold
plentitude
【1】n. an ample amount or quantity; an abundance
plethora
【1】n. excess, superfluity
pliable
【1】adj. supple enough to bend freely or repeatedly without breaking【2】adj. easily influenced, persuaded, or swayed
pliant
【1】adj. easily bent or flexed【2】adj. yielding readily to influence or domination
plight
【1】n. a situation, especially a bad or unfortunate one
plod
【】v. to walk heavily or slowly
pluck
【1】n. resourceful courage and daring in the face of difficulties【2】v. to sound (the strings of an instrument) by pulling and releasing them with the fingersor a plectrum
plumb
【1】vt. to measure the depth of (as a body of water) typically with a weighted line【2】adj. exactly vertical【3】adj. having no exceptions or restrictions【4】v. to examine closely or deeply
plummet
【1】v. to decline suddenly and steeply
plump
【1】adj. well-rounded and full in form【2】vi. to give full support or praise
plunge
【1】vi. to descend or dip suddenly【2】vt. to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly into something
polished
【1】adj. showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience【2】adj. having a shiny surface or finish
polemic
【1】n. a controversial argument
politic
【1】adj. characterized by shrewdness in managing, contriving, or dealing【2】adj. suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances
ponderable
【1】adj. considerable enough to be weighed or assessed
ponderous
【1】adj. of very great weight【2】adj. oppressively or unpleasantly dull
pontificate
【1】vi. to speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way
pore
【1】vi. to read or study attentively(usually used with over)
porous
【1】adj. admitting the passage of gas or liquid through pores or interstices
portentous
【1】adj. being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come【2】adj. eliciting amazement or wonder
poseur
【1】n. an affected or insincere person
posit
【1】vt. to assume or affirm the existence of
postulate
【1】n. something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning【2】v. to assume or claim as true, existent, or necessary
potable
【1】n. a beverage, especially an alcoholic beverage【2】adj. suitable for drinking
potentate
【1】n. one who has the power and position to rule over others
potentiate
【1】vt. to make effective or active, or more effective or more active
pout
【1】vi. to show displeasure, especially by thrusting out the lips or wearing a sullen expression
practitioner
【1】n. one who practices a profession
prairie
【1】n. an extensive area of flat or rolling, predominantly treeless grassland
prate
【1】vi. to talk long and idly
preach
【1】vi. to deliver a sermon
precarious
【1】adj. dangerously lacking in security or stability【2】adj. dependent on uncertain premises
precedent
【1】n. an earlier occurrence of something similarprecedent 【2】adj. prior in time, order, arrangement, or significance
precipice
【1】n. a very steep or overhanging place
precipitate
【1】adj. acting or done with excessive or careless speed【2】vt. to cause to happen, especially suddenly or prematurely
precipitation
【1】n. something precipitated as a deposit on the earth of hail, mist, rain, sleet, or snow【2】n. excited and often showy or disorderly speed
precipitous
【1】adj. very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging in rise or fall【2】adj. acting or done with excessive or careless speed
preclude
【1】vt. to make impossible, as by action taken in advance【2】vt. to exclude or prevent (someone) from a given condition or activity
predecessor
【1】n. a person who has previously occupied a position or office to which another has succeeded
predilection
【1】n. a partiality or disposition in favor of something
preeminent
【1】adj. having paramount rank, dignity, or importance
preempt
【1】vt. to appropriate, seize, or take for oneself before others【2】v. to replace with something considered to be of greater value or priority: take precedence over
preen
【1】vt. to smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak or bill【2】vt. to dress or groom (oneself) with elaborate care【3】vt. to take pride or satisfaction in (oneself)
premeditate
【1】vi. to think, consider, or deliberate beforehand
preoccupation
【1】n. extreme or excessive concern with something
preponderant
【1】adj. having superior weight, force, importance, or influence
prepossessing
【1】adj. serving to impress favorably
preposterous
【1】adj. contrary to nature, reason, or common sense
presage
【1】n. something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event【2】vt. to foretell or predict
prescience
【1】n. knowledge of actions or events before they occur
pretense
【1】n. the act of pretending; a false appearance or action intended to deceive【2】n. an exaggerated sense of one’s importance that shows itself in the making ofexcessive or unjustified claims
preternatural
【1】adj. surpassing the normal or usual
prevail
【1】vi. to be greater in strength or influence
prevalent
【1】adj. widely or commonly occurring, existing, accepted, or practiced
primordial
【1】adj. being or happening first in sequence of time
primp
【1】v. to dress, adorn, or arrange in a careful or finicky manner
privation
【1】n. lack of what is needed for existence
probe
【1】v./n. a penetrating or critical investigation
probity
【1】n. faithfulness to high moral standards
proclivity
【1】n. a natural propensity or inclination; predisposition
procure
【1】vt. to get possession of
prod
【1】vt. to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
prodigal
【1】adj. recklessly spendthrift【2】n. someone who spends money freely or foolishly
prodigious
【1】adj. impressively great in size, force, or extent; enormous【2】adj. causing wonder or astonishment
profane
【1】v. to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt【2】v. to put to a bad or improper use
profligate
【1】adj./n. recklessly wasteful; wildly extravagant【2】n. someone who spends money freely or foolishly【3】n. a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard
profundity
【1】n. something profound or abstruse
profusion
【1】n. the state of being profuse; abundance【2】n. the quality or fact of being free or wasteful in the expenditure of money
prolix
【1】adj. tending to speak or write at excessive length
prolong
【1】vt. to lengthen in extent, scope, or range
promulgate
【1】vt. to make known openly or publicly
propagate
【1】v. to cause to continue or increase by sexual or asexual reproduction【2】vt. to cause to spread out and affect a greater number or greater area: extend
propensity
【1】n. an often intense natural inclination or preference
