Test Makers Favorite Words Flashcards
Anomaly
Deviation from what is normal
Albino animals may display too great an anomaly in their coloring to attract normally colored mates.
Assuage
To make something unpleasant less severe
Serena used aspirin to assuage her pounding headache.
Enigma
A puzzle; a mystery
Speaking in riddles and dressed in old robes, the artist gained a reputation as something of an enigma.
Equivocate
To use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead.
When faced with criticism of her policies, the politician equivocated and left all parties thinking she agreed with them.
Erudite
Learned, scholarly, bookish
The annual meeting of philosophy professors was a feathering of the most erudite, well-published individuals in the field.
Fervid
Intensely emotional, feverish
The fans of Maria callas were unusually fervid, doing anything to catch a glimpse of the great opera singer.
Lucid
Clear and easily understood
The explanations were written in a simple and lucid manner so that students were immediately able to apply what they learned.
Opaque
Impossible to see through, preventing the passage of light
The heavy buildup of dirt and grime on the windows almost made them opaque.
Placate
To soothe or pacify
The burglar tried to placate the snarling dog by saying, “nice doggie,” and offering it a treat.
Precipitate
To throw violently or bring about abruptly, lacking deliberation
Upon learning that the couple married after knowing each other only two months, friends and family members expected such a precipitate marriage to end in divorce.
Prodigal
Lavish, wasteful
The prodigal son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure.
Zeal
Passion, excitement
She brought her typical zeal to the project, sparking enthusiasm in the other team members.
