Unit 10 Flashcards
Beneficent
(adj) kindly; doing good
e. g. The theologian discussed the question of why a beneficent and omnipotent God allows bad things to happen to good people.
Bifurcate
(v) to divide into two parts
(n) Bifurcation
e.g. Just below Cairo the river bifurcates.
Inaugurate
(v) begin or introduce (a system, policy, or period)
e. g. He inaugurated a new policy of trade and exploration.
Blandishment
(n) flattery; pleasant things that you say to sb or do for them to try to persuade them to do sth
- Blandish (v): to coax with flattery
e.g. Despite the salesperson’s blandishments, Donna didn’t buy the car.
Coax
(v) to persuade sb to do sth by talking to them in a kind and gentle way = cajole
e. g. She coaxed the horse into coming a little closer.
Blasé
(adj) bored because of frequent indulgence; unconcerned
e. g. We were amazed by John’s blasé attitude towards school; he seems to have made it a rule to never open a book.
Bolster
(v) to give a boost to; prop up; support
e. g. The president has visited the state several times to bolster his sagging popularity there.
Sagging
(adj) becoming weaker; declining
e. g. A comprehensive overhaul meant to revive sagging sales.
Bombastic
(adj) pompous; using inflated language
e. g. Nearly lost in senator’s long, bombastic speech were several sensible ideas.
Boorish
(adj) rude; insensitive
e. g. Bob apologized for his boorish behavior at the party, saying he hadn’t realized that it was such a formal occasion.
Bovine
(adj) cowlike
e. g. Following the slow-moving group of students up the long path to the school’s entrance, the word “bovine” popped into the English teacher’s mind.
Brazen
(adj) bold; shameless
e. g. He went about his illegal business with a brazen assurance.
Broach
(v) mention for the first time
e. g. Steve’s boss knew that she couldn’t put off warning him about his poor performance and decided to broach the subject the next time she saw him.
