The Toughest Words II Flashcards
Idiosyncrasy
(n.) a trait or mannerism that is peculiar to an individual
Censorious
(adj.) highly critical; fault-finding
Captious
(adj.) highly critical; fault-finding
Consternation
(n.) a state of great dismay and confusion
Didactic
(adj.) designed or intended to teach and intruct
Edify
(v.) to instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually
Elucidate
(v.) to make clear or plain, especially by explanation
Effusive
(adj.) unrestrained praise
Prolific
(adj.) very productive
Furor
(n.) an outbreak of public anger or excitement
Paranoia
(n.) a tendency on the part of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness; irrational fear
Marginal
(adj.) of secondary importance; NOT central
Peripheral
(adj.) of secondary importance; NOT central
Obfuscate
(v.) to deliberately confuse; to make something so confusing that it is hard to understand
Flummox
(v.) to confuse; perplex
Spate
(n.) a large number or amount
Ineffable
(adj.) a feeling that cannot be put into words; indescribable
Histrionic
(adj.) excessively dramatic; a deliberate display of emotion
Overwrought
(adj.) excessively dramatic; a deliberate display of emotion
Placate
(v.) to soothe or calm; appease
Eschew
(v.) to avoid; shun; stay clear of
Stopgap
(n.) a temporary solution designed to meet an urgent need
Flotsam
(n.) the floating wreckage of a ship; debris
Resistitution
(n.) the act of making good or compensating for a loss, damage, or injury
Churlish
(adj.) ill-tempered; rude; lacking civility
Sullen
(adj.) ill-tempered; rude; lacking civility
Surly
(adj.) ill-tempered; rude; lacking civility
Disquieting
(adj.) disturbing; upsetting; causing unease
Perspicacious
(adj.) insightful and perceptive
Prescient
(adj.) insightful and perceptive
Discerning
(adj.) insightful and perceptive
Eclectic
(adj.) choosing or using a variety of sources
Hiatus
(n.) an interruption in time or continuity; a break
Vertiginous
(adj.) characterized by or suffering from dizziness; having vertigo
Esoteric
(adj.) characterized by knowledge that is known only to a small group of specialists; obsure
Arcane
(adj.) characterized by knowledge that is known only to a small group of specialists; obsure
Supercilious
(adj.) haughty disdain; arrogant superiority
Cupidity
(n.) excessive greed, especially for wealth; covetous
Underwrite
(v.) to assume financial responsibility for
Discomfited
(adj.) uneasy; in a state of embarassment
Taciturn
(ad.) habitually quiet; uncommunicative
Sinecure
(n.) an office or position that requires little or no work and that usually provides an income
Lugubrious
(adj.) sad and mournful music
Cosmopolitan
(adj.) worldly; sophisticated; open-minded and aware of the big picture
Provincial
(adj.) limited in perspective; narrow; restricted in scope and outlook
Parochial
(adj.) limited in perspective; narrow; restricted in scope and outlook
Insular
(adj.) limited in perspective; narrow; restricted in scope and outlook
Fecund
(adj.) intellectually productive or inventive
Ostentatious
(adj.) showy; intended to attract notice; pretentious
Guile
(n.) treacherous cunning; skillful deceit
Sanguine
(adj.) cheerfully confident; optimistic
Scintillating
(adj.) sparkling; shining; brilliantly clever
Pristine
(adj.) remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted by civilization
Rampant
(adj.) unrestrained; unchecked
Pernicious
(adj.) highly injurious; destructive; deadly
Oblivious
(adj.) lacking conscious awareness; unmindful; unaware
Refractory
(adj.) obstinately resistant to authority or control
Garrulous
(adj.) annoyingly talkative; voluble
Verbose
(adj.) annoyingly talkative; voluble
Loquacious
(adj.) annoyingly talkative; voluble
Convivial
(adj.) fond of feasting, drinking, and good company
Brusque
(adj.) abrupt in manner or speech; discourteously blunt
Curt
(adj.) abrupt in manner or speech; discourteously blunt
Tepid
(adj.) lukewarm; mild; half-hearted
Protean
(adj.) readily taking on varied forms and meanings
Solicitous
(adj.) showing great care and concern; attentive
Disingenuous
(adj.) not straightforward or candid; insincere
Venerate
(v.) to regard with great respect; to hold in high esteem
Revere
(v.) to regard with great respect; to hold in high esteem
Contetious
(adj.) quarrelsome; argumentative; likely to provoke a controversy; disputatious
Preclude
(v.) to make impossible; to rule out; prevent
Compunction
(n.) feelings of sincere and deep regret
Contrition
(n.) feelings of sincere and deep regret
Remorse
(n.) feelings of sincere and deep regret
Demography
(n.) the study of the characteristics of human populations
Aphorism
(n.) a statement universally accepted as true; a maxim
Axiom
(n.) a statement universally accepted as true; a maxim