Unit 10 Flashcards
accrue
(v.) to grow or accumulate over time; to happen as a natural result
We allowed the interest to ___ on the account until it turned into a small fortune.
Synonyms: collect, accumulate, proceed from
Antonyms: dwindle, decrease, diminish, lessen
annotation
(n.) a critical or explanatory note or comment, especially for a literary work
Laurence Sterne’s novel Tristram Shandy has almost as many ___ as lines of text.
bedlam
(n.) a state or scene of uproar and confusion
Is this the same band that caused mob scenes and virtual ___ on its first tour?
Synonyms: commotion, pandemonium, chaos, anarchy
Antonyms: peace and quiet, order, tranquility
covert
(adj.) hidden, disguised, purposefully kept secret; sheltered, secluded; (n.) a sheltered place, a hiding place
Napoleon was an expert at making ___ preparations to attack unsuspecting opponents.
Synonyms: (adj.) undercover, clandestine, sub-rosa
Antonyms: (adj.) open, overt, undisguised
debonair
(adj.) pleasant, courteous, lighthearted; smooth and polished in manner and appearance
Quite a few ___ young men asked my cousin to dance.
Synonyms: carefree, jaunty, gracious, urbane
Antonyms: distraught, agitated, boorish, churlish
dun
(v.) to demand insistently, especially in payment of a debt; (n.) a creditor; (adj.) dark, dull, drab, dingy
Many of Charles Dicken’s characters are ___ by creditors because of their large debts.
Synonyms: (v.) hound, harass, nag
efficacious
(adj.) effective, producing results
Not the most charming of senators, he nevertheless wielded the most ___ knowledge of statecraft.
Synonyms: effectual, efficient, potent, powerful
Antonyms: ineffective, worthless, useless
equanimity
(n.) calmness, composure, refusal to panic
Injustice always sent him into a rage, but he could endure misfortune with ___.
Synonyms: tranquility, imperturbability
Antonyms: excitability, flappability, agitation
fortuitous
(adj.) accidental, occurring by a happy chance
Due to a ___ drop in oil prices, the shipping company showed healthy profits for the year.
Synonyms: unintentional, unplanned, random, lucky
Antonyms: intentional, deliberate, premeditated
gist
(n.) the essential part, main point, or essence
Would the talented fellow who keeps the back row in stitches please repeat the ___ of what I said?
Synonyms: substance, core, nucleus
gratuitous
(adj.) freely given; not called for by circumstances, unwarranted
Though she had hoped to leave the lecture early, several members of the audience asked ___.
Synonyms: voluntary, unjustified
Antonyms: justified, warranted
imperious
(adj.) overbearing, arrogant, seeking to dominate; pressing, compelling
The Wizard of OZ’s ___ manner masked the reality that he was a fussy little man behind a curtain.
Synonyms: domineering, magisterial, urgent, imperative
Antonyms: fawning, obsequious, humble, unassuming
invective
(n.) a strong denunciation or condemnation; abusive language; (adj.) abusive, vituperative
He let loose his usual hail of ___, a furious shower that left the air a bit clearer.
As ___ speeches go, this one displayed originality, vigor, and, there, some wit.
Synonyms: (n.) vituperation, abuse, philippic
Antonyms: tribute, panegyric,encomium
motley
(adj.) showing great variety; composed of different elements or many colors; (n.) a jester’s costume; a jester
Tall and short, thick and thin, old and young, we share the family name but are a ___” is to say what only a king’s jester would dare to say.
Synonyms: (adj.) variegated, heterogeneous, diverse; (n.) fool
Antonyms: homogeneous, monochromatic
munificent
(adj.) extremely generous, lavish
Nothing the volunteers said could save the program until our anonymous friend donated a ___ sum.
Synonyms: bounteous, liberal
Antonyms: miserly, parsimonious
procrastinate
(v.) to delay, put off until later
We all want to ___ when a task is no fun, but some people make delaying a way of life.
Synonyms: stall, temporize, dilly dally
provocative
(adj.) tending to produce a strong feeling or response; arousing desire or appetite;
irritating, annoying
The ideas presented in the firm were so ___ that I thought about them for days.
Synonyms: stimulating, arousing, vexing, galling
Antonyms: dull, insipid, bland, unstimulating
recondite
(adj.) exceeding ordinary knowledge and understanding
The theories of relativity can seem ___ even for people who are well versed in the sciences.
Synonyms: arcane, abstruse,
Antonyms: simple, uncomplicated
reprobate
(n.) a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person, scoundrel; (adj.) corrupt or unprincipled; (v.) to disapprove of, condemn
___ are usually more charming, funny, or thrilling in fiction than they are in life.
Synonyms: (n.) scoundrel, blackguard; (adj.) immoral, corrupt
Antonyms: (n.) saint; (adj.) upright, virtuous, moral
sedentary
(adj.) characterized by or calling for continued sitting; remaining in one place
She exchanged her ___ job for a position as a swimming instructor.
Synonyms: static, stationary
Antonyms: active, peripatetic
