spellings Flashcards
aberration
(n). something that differs from the norm (In 1974, Poland won the World Cup, but the success turned out to be an aberration, and Poland have not won a World Cup since).
abhor
(v). to hate, detest (Because he always wound up getting hit in the head when he tried to play cricket, Marcin began to abhor the sport).
acquiesce
(v). to agree without protesting (Though Mr. Pospieszny wanted to stay outside and work in his garage, when his wife told him that he had better come in to dinner, he acquiesced to her demands).
alacrity
(n). eagerness, speed (For some reason, Simon loved to help his girlfriend whenever he could, so when his girlfriend asked him to set the table he did so with alacrity).
amiable
(adj). friendly (An amiable fellow, Neil got along with just about everyone).
appease
(v). to calm, satisfy (When Jerry cries, his mother gives him chocolate to appease him).
arcane
(adj). obscure, secret, known only by a few (The professor is an expert in arcane Scottish literature)
avarice
(n). excessive greed (The banker’s avarice led him to amass an enormous personal fortune)
brazen
(adj). excessively bold, brash, clear and obvious (Critics condemned the writer’s brazen attempt to plagiarise Frankow-Czerwonko’s work).
brusque
(adj). short, abrupt, dismissive (Simon’s brusque manner sometimes offends his colleagues)
cajole
(v). to urge, coax (Magda’s friends cajoled her into drinking too much).
callous
(adj). harsh, cold, unfeeling (The murderer’s callous lack of remorse shocked the jury)
candour
(n). honesty, frankness (We were surprised by the candour of the politician’s speech because she is usually rather evasive)
chide
(v). to voice disapproval (Hania chided Gregory for his vulgar habits and sloppy appearance).
circumspect
(adj). cautious (Though I promised Marta’s father I would bring her home promptly by midnight, it would have been more circumspect not to have specified a time).
