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English > the handmaids tale > Flashcards

the handmaids tale Flashcards

1
Q

pungent

A

having a sharply strong taste or smell:

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2
Q

palimpsest

A

something that has changed over time and shows evidence of that change

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3
Q

garlands

A

a ring or rope that is made of leaves, flowers, or some other material and that is used as a decoration

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4
Q

yearning

A

a tender or urgent longing

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5
Q

insatiability

A

incapable of being satisfied

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6
Q

cattle prod

A

a device that is used to make cattle move by giving them an electric shock

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7
Q

wreath

A

something that is shaped like a circle

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8
Q

rummage

A

to search for something especially by moving and looking through the contents of a place

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9
Q

debase

A

to lower the value or reputation of

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10
Q

defiant

A

refusing to obey something or someone

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11
Q

averted

A

to turn away or aside (as the eyes) in avoidance

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12
Q

tantalizing

A

possessing a quality that arouses or stimulates desire or interest

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13
Q

decorum

A

correct or proper behavior that shows respect and good manners

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14
Q

pedant

A

a person who annoys other people by correcting small errors and giving too much attention to minor details

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15
Q

reproach

A

an expression of rebuke or disapproval (noun)

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16
Q

servile

A

of or befitting a slave or a menial position

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17
Q

whimsical

A

unusual in a playful or amusing way : not serious

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18
Q

undulating

A

having a wavy surface, edge, or markings

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19
Q

wheedle

A

to persuade someone to do something or to give you something by saying nice things

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20
Q

conspiratorial

A

suggesting that something secret is being shared

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21
Q

nondescript

A

not easily described

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22
Q

demurely

A

quiet and polite

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23
Q

ravenous

A

very hungry

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24
Q

obscenity

A

relating to sex in an indecent or offensive way

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25
Q

covet

A

to want (something that you do not have) very much

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26
Q

blatant

A

very obvious and offensive

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27
Q

pious

A

deeply religious : devoted to a particular religion

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28
Q

sedate

A

slow and relaxed

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29
Q

admissible

A

able to be admitted or allowed;

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30
Q

retroactive

A

effective from a particular date in the past

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31
Q

anachronisms

A

an error in chronology

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32
Q

eccentric

A

tending to act in strange or unusual ways

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33
Q

gloat

A

to show in an improper or selfish way that you are happy with your own success or another person’s failure

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34
Q

meek

A

having or showing a quiet and gentle nature : not wanting to fight or argue with other people

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35
Q

bereaved

A

sad because a family member or friend has recently died

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36
Q

chalice

A

a special cup for holding wine

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37
Q

quagmire

A

a difficult, precarious, or entrapping position

38
Q

tremulous

A

haking slightly especially because of nervousness, weakness, or illness

39
Q

treacherous

A

not able to be trusted : showing that someone cannot be trusted

40
Q

ingratiate

A

to gain favor or approval for (yourself) by doing or saying things that people like

41
Q

lugubrious

A

full of sadness or sorrow

42
Q

stagnant

A

not active, changing, or progressing

43
Q

bludgeon

A

to hit with heavy impact

44
Q

mutilate

A

to cause severe damage to

45
Q

covertly

A

made, shown, or done in a way that is not easily seen or noticed : secret or hidden

46
Q

compose

A

to come together to form or make

47
Q

coy

A

having a shy or sweetly innocent quality that is often intended to be attractive or to get attention

48
Q

lithe

A

moving in an easy and graceful way

49
Q

plaintive

A

expressing suffering or sadness

50
Q

subdued

A

lacking in vitality, intensity, or strength

51
Q

cavern

A

a large cave

52
Q

whim

A

a sudden wish, desire, decision

53
Q

wreathe

A

to surround or cover

54
Q

withered

A

to become dry and weak

55
Q

grope

A

to search for something by reaching or touching usually with your fingers in an awkward way

56
Q

genial

A

friendly and cheerful

57
Q

acquisitive

A

having a strong desire to own or acquire more things

58
Q

innocuous

A

not likely to bother or offend anyone

59
Q

ornate

A

covered with decorations *adj

60
Q

incendiary

A

designed to cause fires

61
Q

avid

A

having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something:

62
Q

copulate

A

to have sexual intercourse

63
Q

frivolity

A

a lack of seriousness :

64
Q

vanity

A

something that is vain, empty, or valueless

65
Q

decree

A

an official order given by a person with power or by a government

66
Q

rancid

A

having a strong and unpleasant smell or taste from no longer being fresh

67
Q

ajar

A

slightly open

68
Q

thicket

A

a group of bushes or small trees that grow close together

69
Q

delusion

A

: a belief that is not true : a false idea

70
Q

litanies

A

a tedious recital or repetitive series:

71
Q

incubate

A

to keep (something) in the proper conditions for development

72
Q

proclamation

A

the act of saying something in a public, official, or definite way : the act of proclaiming something

73
Q

stern

A

very serious especially in an unfriendly way

74
Q

revile

A

to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way

75
Q

queer

A

worthless

76
Q

vindicate

A

to show that (someone) should not be blamed for a crime, mistake, etc. : to show that (someone) is not guilty

77
Q

menace

A

a dangerous or possibly harmful person or thing

78
Q

beseech

A

to beg (someone) for something

79
Q

repentance

A

to feel or show that you are sorry for something bad or

80
Q

meddle

A

to become involved in the activities and concerns of other people when your involvement is not wanted

81
Q

voluptuous

A

giving pleasure to the senses

82
Q

emaciate

A

to waste away physically

83
Q

endearing

A

inspiring affection:

84
Q

subversive

A

to secretly try to ruin or destroy a government, political system, etc.

85
Q

trivial

A

common

86
Q

perfunctory

A

used to describe something that is done without energy or enthusiasm because of habit or because it is expected

87
Q

uncouth

A

behaving in a rude way

88
Q

indecorous

A

conflicting with accepted standards of good conduct or good taste

89
Q

compunction

A

a feeling of guilt or regret

90
Q

ignominious

A

causing disgrace or shame

91
Q

defunct

A

no longer existing or being used

92
Q

foreboding

A

a feeling that something bad is going to happen

English (13 decks)

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