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