Set5 Flashcards
1
Q
obstruct
A
【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
2
Q
obtuse
A
【1】adj. not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
3
Q
obviate
A
【1】vt. to anticipate and prevent (as a situation) or make unnecessary (as an action)
4
Q
occult
A
【1】adj. not easily apprehended or understood : abstruse, mysterious【2】v. to keep secret or shut off from viewveil, blot out, paper over
5
Q
odium
A
【1】n. strong dislike, contempt, or aversion
6
Q
offbeat
A
【1】adj. noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced
7
Q
offhand
A
【1】adj. without premeditation or preparation
8
Q
officious
A
【1】adj. thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
9
Q
offish
A
【1】adj. Inclined to be distant and reserved; aloof
10
Q
off-key
A
【1】adj. being out of accord with what is considered normal or appropriate
11
Q
ominous
A
【1】adj. of or being an omen, especially an evil one
12
Q
omniscient
A
【1】adj. possessed of universal or complete knowledge
13
Q
onerous
A
【1】adj. requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
14
Q
opaque
A
【1】adj. impenetrable by light; neither transparent nor translucent【2】adj. so obscure as to be unintelligible
15
Q
opine
A
【1】vt. to express opinions
16
Q
opportune
A
【1】adj. suitable or convenient for a particular occurrence
17
Q
opprobrious
A
【1】adj. expressing contemptuous reproach; scornful or abusive【2】adj. bringing disgrace; shameful or infamous
18
Q
oration
A
【1】n. a speech delivered in a high-flown or pompous manner
19
Q
ossify
A
【1】vi. to become hardened or conventional and opposed to change
20
Q
oust
A
【1】vt. to remove from a position of prominence or power (as a throne)【2】v. to drive or force out
21
Q
outlandish
A
【1】adj. strikingly out of the ordinary: bizarre
22
Q
outmaneuver
A
【1】vt. to overcome (an opponent) by artful, clever maneuvering
23
Q
outset
A
【1】n. beginning, start
24
Q
outwit
A
【1】v. to surpass in cleverness or cunning; outsmart
25
overbearing
【2】adj. overwhelming in power or significance; predominant, coming before all others in importance
26
overt
【1】adj. open and observable; not hidden, concealed, or secret
27
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
28
oxymoron
【1】n. a combination of contradictory or incongruous words
29
pacify
【1】vt. to ease the anger or agitation of
30
padding
【1】n. the representation of something in terms that go beyond the factsstretching
31
paean
【1】n. a joyous song or hymn of praise, tribute, thanksgiving, or triumph
32
painstaking
【1】adj. taking pains: expending, showing, or involving diligent care and effort
33
palatable
【1】adj. giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses
34
palatial
【1】adj. of the nature of a palace, as in spaciousness or ornateness
35
pall
【1】vi. to lose in interest or attraction
36
palliate
【1】v. to make less severe or intense; mitigate
37
pallid
【1】adj. lacking in radiance or vitality; dull【2】adj. having an abnormally pale or wan complexion
38
palmy
【1】adj. marked by prosperity
39
palter
【1】vi. to act insincerely or deceitfully
40
paltry
【1】adj. lacking in importance or worth【2】adj. arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
41
pan
【1】v./n. a harsh criticism
42
panache
【1】n. dash or flamboyance in style and action
43
pandemonium
【1】n. wild uproar or noise
44
panegyric
【1】n. a eulogistic oration or writing
45
panoramic
【1】adj. of an unobstructed or complete view of an area in every direction
46
parable
【1】n. a story intended to teach a basic truth or moral about life
47
paradigm
【1】n. one that serves as a pattern or model
48
paragon
【1】n. a model of excellence or perfection of a kind; a peerless example【2】vt. to compare with; parallel
49
paramount
【1】adj. of chief concern or importance
50
paranoid
【1】adj. exhibiting or characterized by extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others
51
parch
【1】vi. to make extremely dry, especially by exposure to heat
52
pariah
【1】n. one that is despised or rejected, outcast
53
parity
【1】n. the quality or state of being equal or equivalent
54
paroxysm
【1】n. a sudden outburst of emotion or action【2】n. a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
55
parrot
【1】vt. to repeat or imitate, especially without understanding
56
parsimonious
【1】n. frugal to the point of stinginess
57
partial
【1】adj. inclined to favor one party more than the other: biased【2】adj. lacking some necessary part
58
particularize
【1】vt. to go into or give details or particulars
59
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
60
patent
【1】adj. readily visible or intelligible: obvious
61
pathological
【1】adj. being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or markedly abnormal
62
patina
【1】n. a superficial covering or exterior【2】n. an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character
63
patrician
【1】n. a man or woman of high birth or social position【2】adj. of high birth, rank, or station
64
patronize
【1】vt. provide aid or support for【2】v. to adopt an air of condescension toward : treat haughtily or coolly
65
paunchy
【1】adj. having a potbelly
66
peck
【1】n. a considerable amount【2】v. to eat reluctantly and in small bites
67
pedagogue
【1】n. a person whose occupation is to give formal instruction in a school
68
pedant
【1】n. one who pays undue attention to book learning and formal rules
69
predestine
【1】vt. to determine the fate of in advance
70
pedestrian
【2】adj. causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
71
peeve
【1】vt. to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
72
pejorative
【1】adj. disparaging; belittling
73
pellucid
【1】adj. admitting the passage of light【2】adj. transparently clear in style or meaning
74
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
75
penitent
【1】adj. feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
76
pensive
【1】adj. given to or marked by long, quiet and often musingly sad thinking
77
penury
【1】n. extreme dearth; barrenness or insufficiency【2】n. extreme and often niggardly frugality
78
perambulate
【1】v. to travel over or through especially on foot for exercise or pleasure
79
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
80
perfervid
【1】adj. marked by overwrought or exaggerated emotion: excessively fervent
81
perfidy
【1】n. an act or an instance of disloyalty
82
perforate
【1】v. to make a hole through
83
perfunctory
【1】adj. characterized by routine or superficiality and often done merely as a duty【2】adj. lacking in interest or enthusiasm
84
peripatetic
【1】adj. walking about or from place to place
85
peripheral
【1】adj. related to, located in, or constituting an outer boundary or periphery【2】adj. available to supply something extra when needed
86
pernicious
【1】adj. highly injurious or destructive
87
peroration
【1】n. the concluding part of a discourse and especially an oration【2】n. a usually formal discourse delivered to an audience
88
persecute
【1】vt. to cause persistent suffering to
89
persiflage
【1】n. good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks
90
persistence
【1】n. uninterrupted or lasting existence
91
personable
【1】adj. pleasing in personality or appearance; attractive
92
perspicacious
【1】adj. having or showing penetrating mental discernment; clear-sighted
93
perspicuity
【1】n. the quality of being perspicuous; clearness and lucidity
94
pertinacious
【1】adj. sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
95
perturb
【1】vt. to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
96
peruse
【1】v. to read or examine, typically with great care
97
pervade
【1】vt. to be present throughout; permeate
98
pessimistic
【1】adj. tending to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view
99
petrify
【1】v. to cause to become stiff or stone-like; deaden
100
petty
【1】adj. of small importance; trivial
101
philanthropic
【1】adj. having or showing a concern for the welfare of others
102
philistine
【1】n. a person who is guided by materialism and is usuallydisdainful of intellectual or artistic values
103
phlegmatic
【1】adj. having or suggesting a calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional
104
piddling
【1】adj. so trifling or trivial as to be beneath one's consideration
105
piebald
【1】adj. of different colors【2】adj. consisting of many things of different sorts
106
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
107
pilfer
【1】v. to steal stealthily in small amounts
108
pillar
【1】n. a firm upright support for a superstructure【2】n. something or someone to which one looks for support
109
pillory
【1】vt. to expose to public contempt, ridicule, or scorn
110
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
111
pine
【1】vi. to yearn intensely and persistently especially for something unattainable【2】vi. to lose vigor, health, or flesh (as through grief)
112
pinnacle
【1】n. the highest point of development or achievement
113
pinpoint
【1】adj. located, fixed, or directed with extreme precision【2】v. to locate, fix, determine, or identify with precision
114
piquant
【1】adj. pleasantly pungent or tart in taste【2】adj. appealingly provocative
115
pique
【1】vt. to arouse anger or resentment in【2】vt. to excite or arouse especially by a provocation, challenge, or rebuff
116
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
117
pithy
【1】adj. precisely meaningful; forceful and brief
118
pitiless
【1】adj. devoid of or unmoved by pity
119
pittance
【1】n. a small portion, amount, or allowance
120
placebo
【1】n. something of no intrinsic remedial value that is used to appease or reassure another
121
plagiarize
【1】v. to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
122
plangent
【1】adj. having a loud reverberating sound【2】adj. having an expressive and especially plaintive quality
123
plastic
【1】adj. susceptible of being modified in form or nature【2】adj. lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
124
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
125
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
126
plausible
【1】adj. superficially fair, reasonable, or valuable but often specious
127
pleat
【1】n./vt. fold
128
plentitude
【1】n. an ample amount or quantity; an abundance
129
plethora
【1】n. excess, superfluity
130
pliable
【1】adj. supple enough to bend freely or repeatedly without breaking【2】adj. easily influenced, persuaded, or swayed
131
pliant
【1】adj. easily bent or flexed【2】adj. yielding readily to influence or domination
132
plight
【1】n. a situation, especially a bad or unfortunate one
133
plod
【】v. to walk heavily or slowly
134
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
135
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
136
plummet
【1】v. to decline suddenly and steeply
137
plump
【1】adj. well-rounded and full in form【2】vi. to give full support or praise
138
plunge
【1】vi. to descend or dip suddenly【2】vt. to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly into something
139
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
140
polemic
【1】n. a controversial argument
141
politic
【1】adj. characterized by shrewdness in managing, contriving, or dealing【2】adj. suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances
142
ponderable
【1】adj. considerable enough to be weighed or assessed
143
ponderous
【1】adj. of very great weight【2】adj. oppressively or unpleasantly dull
144
pontificate
【1】vi. to speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way
145
pore
【1】vi. to read or study attentively(usually used with over)
146
porous
【1】adj. admitting the passage of gas or liquid through pores or interstices
147
portentous
【1】adj. being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come【2】adj. eliciting amazement or wonder
148
poseur
【1】n. an affected or insincere person
149
posit
【1】vt. to assume or affirm the existence of
150
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
151
potable
【1】n. a beverage, especially an alcoholic beverage【2】adj. suitable for drinking
152
potentate
【1】n. one who has the power and position to rule over others
153
potentiate
【1】vt. to make effective or active, or more effective or more active
154
pout
【1】vi. to show displeasure, especially by thrusting out the lips or wearing a sullen expression
155
practitioner
【1】n. one who practices a profession
156
prairie
【1】n. an extensive area of flat or rolling, predominantly treeless grassland
157
prate
【1】vi. to talk long and idly
158
preach
【1】vi. to deliver a sermon
159
precarious
【1】adj. dangerously lacking in security or stability【2】adj. dependent on uncertain premises
160
precedent
【1】n. an earlier occurrence of something similarprecedent 【2】adj. prior in time, order, arrangement, or significance
161
precipice
【1】n. a very steep or overhanging place
162
precipitate
【1】adj. acting or done with excessive or careless speed【2】vt. to cause to happen, especially suddenly or prematurely
163
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
164
precipitous
【1】adj. very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging in rise or fall【2】adj. acting or done with excessive or careless speed
165
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
166
predecessor
【1】n. a person who has previously occupied a position or office to which another has succeeded
167
predilection
【1】n. a partiality or disposition in favor of something
168
preeminent
【1】adj. having paramount rank, dignity, or importance
169
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
170
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)
171
premeditate
【1】vi. to think, consider, or deliberate beforehand
172
preoccupation
【1】n. extreme or excessive concern with something
173
preponderant
【1】adj. having superior weight, force, importance, or influence
174
prepossessing
【1】adj. serving to impress favorably
175
preposterous
【1】adj. contrary to nature, reason, or common sense
176
presage
【1】n. something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event【2】vt. to foretell or predict
177
prescience
【1】n. knowledge of actions or events before they occur
178
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
179
preternatural
【1】adj. surpassing the normal or usual
180
prevail
【1】vi. to be greater in strength or influence
181
prevalent
【1】adj. widely or commonly occurring, existing, accepted, or practiced
182
primordial
【1】adj. being or happening first in sequence of time
183
primp
【1】v. to dress, adorn, or arrange in a careful or finicky manner
184
privation
【1】n. lack of what is needed for existence
185
probe
【1】v./n. a penetrating or critical investigation
186
probity
【1】n. faithfulness to high moral standards
187
proclivity
【1】n. a natural propensity or inclination; predisposition
188
procure
【1】vt. to get possession of
189
prod
【1】vt. to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
190
prodigal
【1】adj. recklessly spendthrift【2】n. someone who spends money freely or foolishly
191
prodigious
【1】adj. impressively great in size, force, or extent; enormous【2】adj. causing wonder or astonishment
192
profane
【1】v. to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt【2】v. to put to a bad or improper use
193
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
194
profundity
【1】n. something profound or abstruse
195
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
196
prolix
【1】adj. tending to speak or write at excessive length
197
prolong
【1】vt. to lengthen in extent, scope, or range
198
promulgate
【1】vt. to make known openly or publicly
199
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
200
propensity
【1】n. an often intense natural inclination or preference
