Set9 Flashcards
worldly
【1】adj. of this world rather than spiritual or religion affairs【2】adj. experienced in human affairs
wrangle
【1】n. an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions【2】vi. to quarrel noisily or angrily
wretched
【1】adj. very poor in quality or ability【2】adj. deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed in body or mind
wry
【1】adj. abnormally twisted or bent to one side【2】adj. stubborn in adherence to wrong opinion or principles
xenophobe
【1】n. one unduly fearful of what is foreign and especially of people of foreign origin
yoke
【1】v. to become joined or linked
yokel
【1】n. a naive or gullible inhabitant of a rural areaor small town
zeal
【1】n. enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance
zealot
【1】n. a zealous person; especially: a fanatical partisan
zenith
【1】n. culminating point
zesty
【1】adj. appealingly piquant or lively
ravenous
【1】adj. having a huge appetite
simile
【1】n. a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as
nirvana
【1】n. a state of being disregardful or unconscious of one’s surroundings, concerns, or obligations【2】n. an often imaginary place or state of utter perfection and happiness
nourish
【1】vt. to provide with food or other substances necessary for life and growth【2】vt. to help the growth or development of
plodder
【1】n. someone who moves slowly or more slowly than others
misapprehension
【1】n. a failure to understand correctly【2】n. a wrong judgement
ferocious
【1】adj. marked by unrelenting intensity【2】adj. marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity【3】adj. violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition
affix
【1】vt. to attach physically
delegate
【1】n. a person authorized to act as representative for another【2】vt. to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
obsolete
【1】adj. no longer in use or no longer useful
peel
【1】vt. to strip off an outer layer of【2】vi. to take off one’s clothes
wiretap
【1】n./vt. to tap a telephone or telegraph wire in order to get information
renege
【1】vt. to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
rigmarole
【1】n. language marked by abstractions, jargon, euphemisms, and circumlocutions; confused or meaningless talk
unavailing
【1】adj. producing no results
cachet
【1】n. a mark or quality, as of distinction, individuality, or authenticity
graft
【1】vt. to implant (living tissue) surgically or as if surgically
feisty
【1】adj. having or showing a lively aggressiveness
cascade
【1】n. a steep usually small fall of water
domineer
【1】vt. to exercise arbitrary or overbearing control
vile
【1】adj. unpleasant to look at【2】adj. morally despicable or abhorrent
poach
【1】vt. to cook in a liquid heated to the point that it gives off steam
palpitation
【1】n. a rhythmic expanding and contracting
palaver
【1】n. an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue【2】vi. to talk profusely or idly
overwrought
【1】adj. being in a state of increased activity or agitation【2】adj. elaborately and often excessively decorated
fad
【1】n. a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time
arid
【1】adj. marked by little or no precipitation or humidity【2】adj. causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
avowal
【1】n. a solemn and often public declaration of the truth or existence of something
careen
【1】vi. to lurch or swerve while in motion【2】vi. to rush headlong or carelessly
constrict
【1】vt. to make smaller or narrower by or as if by binding or squeezing
dampen
【1】vt. to make or become slightly or moderately wet【2】vt. to check or diminish the feeling, activity or vigor of
debonair
【1】adj. having or showing freedom from worries or troubles【2】adj. having or showing very polished and worldly manners
fabulous
【1】adj. based on, described in, or being a fable【2】adj. not real and existing only in the imagination【3】adj. causing wonder or astonishment【4】adj. extremely pleasing or successful
hobble
【1】vi. to walk or move along haltingly or with difficulty【2】vt. to hamper the action or progress of
plush
【1】adj. having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor)【2】adj. notably luxurious
trifle
【1】n. something of little importance or value【2】vi. to behave amorously without serious intent
weather
【1】vt. to come through (something) safely
wily
【1】adj. clever at attaining one’s ends by indirect and often deceptive means
arable
【1】adj. fit for or used for the growing of crops
convene
【1】vt. to bring together in assembly by or as if by command【2】vi. to come together in a body
decadent
【1】adj. having or showing lowered moral character or standards【2】n. a person whose life is devoted to luxury and sensual pleasures【3】n. a person in a condition or process of mental or moral decay
demotion
【1】n. the act or an instance of bringing to a lower grade or rank
glower
【1】vi. to look or stare with sullen annoyance or anger
grit
【1】n. the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship
infraction
【1】n. a failure to uphold the requirements of law, duty, or obligation
madcap
【1】n. a person who seeks out very dangerous or foolhardy adventures with no apparent fear【2】adj. behaving or acting impulsively or rashly;foolishly adventurous or bold
observant
【1】adj. paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity【2】adj. diligent in observing a law, custom, duty, or principle
plenitude
【1】n. an amount or supply more than sufficient to meet one’s needs【2】n. a considerable amount
replenish
【1】vt. to fill or make complete again; add a new stock or supply to
stasis
【1】n. a condition of balance among various forces
tycoon
【1】n. a person of rank, power, or influence in a particular field
umbrage
【1】n. the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity
wilt
【1】vi. to become limp or flaccid【2】vi. to feel or exhibit the effects of fatigue or exhaustion
agape
【1】adj. having or showing signs of eagerly awaiting something
annex
【1】n. a building added on to a larger one or an auxiliary building situated near a main one【2】vt. to join (something) to a mass, quantity, or number so as to bring about an overall increase【3】vt. to incorporate (a country or other territory) within the domain of a state
bewitching
【1】adj. having an often mysterious or magical power to attract
bumble
【1】vi. to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and usually unintelligibly【2】vi. to move, act, or proceed clumsily
chaperone
【1】vt. to go along with in order to provide assistance, protection, or companionship
charisma
【1】n. a special magnetic charm or appeal
conflagration
【1】n. a large destructive fire【2】n. a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups
crow
【1】vi. to feel or express joy or triumph【2】vi. to praise or express pride in one’s own possessions, qualities, or accomplishments often to excess
dashing
【1】adj. inclined or willing to take risks
deplorable
【1】adj. worthy of severe condemnation or reproach【2】adj. of a kind to cause great distress
dike
【1】n. a bank usually of earth constructed to control or confine water【2】n. a long narrow channel dug in the earth
felony
【1】n. one of several grave crimes, such as murder, rape, or burglary, punishable by a more stringent sentence than that given for a misdemeanor
grumble
【1】vi. to complain in a surly manner; mutter discontentedly
heckle
【1】vt. to harass and try to disconcert with questions, challenges, or gibes
lance
【1】n. a weapon with a long straight handle and sharp head or blade【2】vt. to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
maneuver
【1】vt. to guide with adroitness and design or to bring about or secure as a result of skillfulmanagement
rampant
【1】adj. growing thickly and vigorously【2】adj. occurring without restraint and frequently, widely, or menacingly【 】abandoned, intemperate, runaway, unbounded, unbridled, unchecked, uncontrolled, unhampered, unhindered, unrestrained
residual
【1】adj. of, relating to, or characteristic of a residue
scrimp
【1】vi. to avoid unnecessary waste or expense
willy-nilly
【1】adv. whether desired or not【2】adj. without order or plan
adjudicate
【1】vt. to hear and settlea case, dispute or conflict
canny
【1】adj. careful and shrewd, especially where one’s own interests are concerned
disenchant
【1】vt. to free from illusion
forage
【1】vi. to make a search
illustrious
【1】adj. well known and very distinguished
plebeian
【1】adj. belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
squeamish
【1】adj. affected with nausea
complacent
【1】adj. feeling or showing an often excessive or unjustified satisfaction and pleasure in one’s status, possessions, or attainments【2】adj. having or showing a lack of interest or concern
imposter
【1】n. one that assumes false identity or title for the purpose of deception
incumbent
【1】adj. imposed as an obligation or duty
splinter
【1】n. a sharp, slender piece, as of wood, bone, glass, or metal, split or broken off from a main body【2】vt. to split or break into sharp, slender pieces
calibrate
【1】vt. to check, adjust, or determine by comparison with a standard (the graduations of a quantitative measuring instrument)
commiserate
【1】vi. to feel or express sympathy
nullification
【1】n. the doing away with something by formal action
behoove
【1】vt. to be necessary, proper or advantageous for
coarse
【1】adj. not having a level or smooth surface【2】adj. harsh, raucous, or rough in tone【3】adj. lacking in delicacy or refinement【4】adj. of low, common, or inferior quality
defray
【1】vt. to undertake the payment of
imperishable
【1】adj. impossible to destroy; not subject to decay【2】adj. enduring or occurring forever
machination
【1】n. a scheming or crafty action or artful design intended to accomplish some usually evil end
onset
【1】n. attack, assault【2】n. the point at which something begins
bustle
【1】n. noisy, energetic, and often obtrusive activity【2】vi. to move briskly and often ostentatiously
canonize
【1】vt. to love or admire too much【2】vt. to assign a high status or value to
endeavor
【1】n. a conscientious or concerted effort toward an end【2】vt. to devote serious and sustained effort
fitful
【1】adj. having an erratic or intermittent character
oaf
【1】n. a stupid person
retentive
【1】adj. having the ability or capacity to retain knowledge or information with ease
secede
【1】vi. to withdraw from an organization (as a religious communion or political party or federation)
glacial
【1】adj. extremely cold【2】adj. devoid of warmth and cordiality
glide
【1】vt. to move or proceedsmoothly, continuously, and effortlessly
pedagogical
【1】adj. of, relating to, or befitting a teacher or education
perilous
【1】adj. involving potential loss or injury
affliction
【1】n. a state of great suffering of body or mindpleasure, rapture
dishearten
【1】vt. to cause to lose spirit or morale
disjunctive
【1】adj. marked by breaks or disunity
frosty
【1】adj. having a low or subnormal temperature【2】adj. lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling
sacrosanct
【1】adj. most sacred or holy
shifty
【1】adj. having, displaying, or suggestive of deceitful character
wayward
【1】adj. following one’s own capricious, wanton, or depraved inclinations
backslide
【1】vi. to revert to a worse condition
beholden
【1】adj. owing something, such as gratitude, to another
beige
【1】adj. lacking distinction
ill-bred
【1】adj. badly brought up or showing bad upbringing: impolite
menial
【1】n. a servant, especially a domestic servant【2】adj. howing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness
peculiarity
【1】n. a distinguishing characteristic
premeditate
【1】vt. to think about and revolve in the mind beforehand
wanting
【1】adj. not present or in evidence【2】adj. not being up to standards or expectations
idiosyncrasy
【1】n. an odd or peculiar habit
august
【1】adj. having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner【2】adj. large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception
coy
【1】adj. affectedly and usually flirtatiously shy or modest【2】adj. tending to avoid people and social situations
demote
【1】vt. to reduce to a lower grade or rank
staunch
【1】adj. steadfast in loyalty or principle
atrophy
【1】vi. to waste away; wither or deteriorate
splutter
【1】vi. to speak hastily and incoherently, as when confused or angry
vouchsafe
【1】vt. to grant or furnish often in a gracious or condescending manner
deadlock
【1】n. a state of inaction or neutralization resulting from the opposition of equally powerful uncompromising persons or factions【2】vt. to bring or come to a deadlock
groggy
【1】adj. weak and unsteady on the feet or in action【2】adj. not able to think or move normally because of being tired, sick, etc.
acquisitive
【1】adj. strongly desirous of acquiring and possessing
arbitrary
【1】adj. having or showing a tendency to force one’s will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity【2】adj. exercising power or authority without interference by others【3】adj. lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
bogus
【1】adj. being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud【2】adj. lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
brandish
【1】vt. to shake or wave (as a weapon) menacingly
deflect
【1】vt. to turn aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction
fanciful
【1】adj. not real and existing only in the imagination【2】adj. conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
fleeting
【1】adj. lasting only for a short time; passing swiftly
gawky
【1】adj. having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner
indecorous
【1】adj. conflicting with accepted standards of good conduct or good taste
lionize
【1】vt. to look on or treat (a person) as a celebrity
lurid
【1】adj. causing horror or revulsion【2】adj. wan and ghastly pale in appearance
malignant
【1】adj. having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it; disposed to do evil
overshadow
【1】vt. to make dark, dim, or indistinct【2】vt. to exceed in importance
skittish
【1】adj. easily frightened【2】adj. easily excited by nature【3】adj. likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
abreast
【1】adv. beside one another with bodies in line【2】adj. up to a particular standard or level especially of knowledge of recent developments
acclaim
【1】n. public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement【2】vt. to declare enthusiastic approval of
adversity
【1】n. a state, condition, or instance of serious or continued difficulty or adverse fortune
alloy
【1】n. a distinct entity formed by the combining of two or more different things【2】vt. to debase by the addition of an inferior element
ambivalent
【1】adj. having a mixture of opposing feelings
annotate
【1】vt. to furnish (a literary work) with critical commentary or explanatory notes
antithetical
【1】adj. being in direct and unequivocal opposition
apparition
【1】n. a ghostly figure
arcane
【1】adj. having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning【2】adj. difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
array
【3】vt. to dress or decorate especially in splendid or impressive attire
assail
【1】vt. to criticize harshly and usually publicly【2】vt. to take sudden, violent action against
attest
【1】vt. to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of
attune
【1】vt. to bring into harmony
bash
【1】n. a forceful blow【2】vt. to strike violently and often repeatedly【3】vt. to criticize harshly and usually publicly
bask
【1】vi. to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere
beset
【1】vt. to cause persistent suffering to【2】vt. to set upon
blackmail
【1】n./vi. extortion of money or something else of value from a person by the threat of exposing a criminal act or discreditable information
bluff
【1】adj. being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner【2】vt. to cause to believe what is untrue; deceive
brim
【1】n. an upper or outer margin【2】vi. to be or become full often to overflowing【3】vt. to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained
calamity
【1】n. a disastrous event marked by great loss and lasting distress and suffering
captious
【1】adj. marked by an often ill-natured inclination to stress faults and raise objections
cellular
【1】adj. containing cavities; having a porous texture
certitude
【1】n. the state of being or feeling certain
chivalrous
【1】adj. marked by gracious courtesy and high-minded consideration(especially to women)
chorale
【1】n. a hymn or psalm sung to a traditional or composed melody in church【2】n. an organized group of singers
cleave
【1】vi. to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly【2】vt. to divide by or as if by a cutting blow
cohesive
【1】adj. exhibiting or producing cohesion or coherence
compelling
【1】adj. having the power to persuade【2】adj. needing immediate attention
complementary
【1】adj. mutually supplying each other’s lack
condemn
【1】vt. to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation
conflate
【1】vt. to turn into a single mass or entity that is more or less the same throughout
conform
【1】vt. bring into harmony or accord【2】vt. to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation【3】vi. to be obedient or compliant
conjure
【1】vt. to charge or entreat earnestly or solemnly【2】vi. to form a mental picture of
consent
【1】n. the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something【2】vi. to give assent or approvalconsent to the marriage
consign
【1】vt. to give, transfer, or deliver into the hands or control of another
consternation
【1】n. a state of paralyzing dismay
contempt
【1】n. open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one’s concern or respect
contend
【1】vi. to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties【2】vt. to state as a fact usually forcefully
contrived
【1】adj. lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
counterpart
【1】n. one having the same function or characteristics as another
courteous
【1】adj. marked by polished manners, gallantry, or ceremonial usage of a court
decry
【1】vt. to express strong disapproval of
deign
【1】vi. to condescend reluctantly and with a strong sense of the affront to one’s superiority that is involved
dichotomy
【1】n. a division into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities
discreet
【1】adj. having or showing good judgment and restraint especially in conduct or speech【2】adj. not readily seen or noticed
doctrinaire
【1】adj. given to or marked by the forceful expression of strongly held opinions