Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Verbal Advantage > Verbal Advantage Level 3 > Flashcards

Verbal Advantage Level 3 Flashcards

Learn 50 words

1
Q

Define:

Defray (di-FRAY)

A

To pay, provide money for, cover the cost or expenses of.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define:

Taciturn (TAS-i-turn)

A

Silent, not talkative, holding one’s tongue, habitually silent and withdrawn.

Synonyms: reserved, uncommunicative, reticent.

Antonyms: garrulous (Level 4, Word 8), loquacious, effusive, voluble (Level 5, Word 1).

Related word: tacit (Level 2, Word 9), unspoken, done or made in silence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define:

Terse (rhymes with curse)

A

Brief and to the point, free of superfluous words, expressed in a pointed and polished way.

Synonyms: concise, pithy, succinct, laconic (Level 3, Word 18).

  • *Antonyms:** long-winded, redundant, verbose (Level 2, Word 30), prolix (Level 9, Word
    1) .

Beastly mispronunciation: suh-SINGKT for succinct. Take care to pronounce the
double C like KS: suhk-SINGKT.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define:

Boon (rhymes with moon)

A

A blessing, timely and welcome benefit, something beneficial bestowed upon one, something to be thankful for.

Additional useful words: yore, time long past; supplicant, a person who begs for
something; supplication, the act of begging for something humbly and earnestly;
archaic, old-fashioned, of a former time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define:

Proletariat (PROH-Iuh-TAIR-ee-it)

A

The working class, especially the industrial wageearning class, which earns its living by manual labor, the lowest and poorest class of people in society.

Corresponding adjective: proletarian, of or relating to the working class.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define:

Heterogeneous (HET-uh-roh-JEE-nee-us)

A

Varied, composed of parts of different kinds, made up of unrelated or diverse elements, mixed, dissimilar, miscellaneous.

Antonym: homogeneous (HOH-moh-JEE-nee-us).

Useful information: The prefix homo- means same, similar, like; the prefix heteromeans
other, different, unlike.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define:

Pittance (PIT’ns, rhymes with admittance)

A

A small amount, portion, or share, especially a small or meager amount of money.

Memory aid: Think of the pit of a fruit, which is . small and hard, and you’ll easily
remember that a pittance is a small amount of money that is hard to live on.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define:

Glib (rhymes with rib)

A

Smooth-spoken, speaking in a ready, fluent manner, with natural or offhand ease, talkative in a nonchalant way.

Synonyms: suave, facile, bland, voluble (Level 5, Word 1), flippant, unctuous.

Useful information: The synonym unctuous means having a slimy, slippery, or
smarmy manner; self-serving and insincere.

Additional useful word: unguent, a medicinal ointment, salve.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define:

Penchant (PEN-chint)

A

A liking, leaning, strong inclination, decided taste.

Synonyms: propensity, proclivity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define:

Solicitous (suh-LIS-i-tus)

A

Concerned, showing care and attention, especially in a worried, anxious, or fearful way.

Usage tip: In the above sense, solicitous may be followed by the prepositions of, for,
or about. When used to mean eager, full of desire, willing, solicitous is followed by
the preposition to.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Define:

Circumscribe (SUR-kum-SKRYB)

A

To limit, restrict, confine, hem in, fix the boundaries of (literally, to draw a line around).

Related words: circum- means around. You can see this combining form in the words
circumstance; circumcision; circumvent, to go around, bypass, especially in a clever or
resourceful way; circumlocutory, expressed in a roundabout way; and circumnavigate, to
navigate or sail around.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define:

Dearth (rhymes with earth)

A

A lack, scarcity, insufficiency, inadequate supply of something needed.

Synonym: paucity (Level 10, Word 2).

Antonyms: abundance, surplus, excess, superfluity, plethora, surfeit.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define:

Ingratiating (in-GRAY-shee-ay-ting)

A

Flattering, attempting to win approval or curry favor, trying to gain acceptance, done to charm or please another.

Synonym: unctuous.

Usage tip: Dictionaries and thesauruses often give charming, pleasing, and agreeable as
synonyms of ingratiating, but today the word invariably has the negative suggestion of
insincerely charming, pleasing or agreeable so as to gain approval or get into the good
graces of another.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define:

Mercenary (MUR-suh-ner-ee)

A

Greedy, done for payment only, motivated by a selfish desire for money or other reward.

Synonyms: covetous, avaricious (both discussed in Level 2, Word 40).

Additional related word: venal, corruptible, capable of being bribed or bought off.

Corresponding noun: mercenary, a hired soldier, one who fights not for a cause or for
love of country but for money.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define:

Extemporize (eks-TEM-puh-ryz)

A

To improvise, to speak or compose with little or no preparation or practice, perform something in an offhand or unpremeditated way.

Corresponding adjective: extemporaneous (eks-TEM-puh-RAY-nee-us), spoken or
composed with little or no preparation or practice.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define:

Erudite (preferably, ER-uu-dyt or AIR-uu-dyt; commonly, AIR-yoo-dyt)

A

Learned, scholarly, possessing extensive knowledge acquired chiefly from books.

Corresponding noun: erudition (preferably ER- or AIR-uu-DISH-un; commonly, AIRyoo-
DISH-un), extensive knowledge acquired from reading books.

Usage tip: erudite may be used either of people or things.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define:

Austere (aw-STEER)

A

Severe, serious, characterized by strict selfdiscipline or severe self-denial, stern in appearance, manner, or practice.

Synonyms: somber, grim, grave, forbidding, dour (rhymes with poor).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Define:

Laconic (luh-KAHN-ik)

A

Using few words, briefly and often bluntly expressed.

Synonyms: succinct, concise, pithy, succinct, terse (Level 3, Word 3).

Etymology: Laconic comes from the Greek lakonikos, a resident of the ancient city state
of Sparta, which was renowned for its austere and warlike people. By derivation laconic
refers to the Spartans’ reputation for rigorous self-discipline and reticence. Like the
ancient Spartans, the laconic speakers and writers of today are determined to use no more
words than are necessary to get the point across, even at the risk of giving offense.

Illustrative anecdote: Julius Caesar’s three-word pronouncement, Veni, vidi, vici (“I
came, I saw, I conquered”), is one of the most famous laconic statements of all time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Define:

Ameliorate (uh-MEEL-yuh-rayt)

A

To make or become better or more tolerable, raise the condition or state of.

Synonyms: improve, amend, correct, reform, rectify.

Usage tip: Ameliorate is used chiefly of improving something that needs help because it
is inferior, oppressive, or intolerable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Define:

Expunge (ek-SPUNJ)

A

To erase, delete, cancel; punch, strike, or wipe out something completely so it appears as though it had never existed.

Synonyms: eradicate, obliterate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Define:

Circumspect (SUR-kum-spekt)

A

Careful, cautious, wary, watchful, carefully considering all circumstances before acting or making a judgment.

Synonyms: discreet, vigilant, prudent (Level 1, Word 47).

Etymology: Circumspect comes from the Latin circum-, around, and specere, to look at
carefully, observe. The Latin specere is also the source of the words spectator, spectacle,
and spectacular, wonderful to behold.

22
Q

Define:

Quiescent (kwy-ES-int)

A

Still, quiet, tranquil, inactive, at rest or repose.

Antonyms: vigorous, animated, sprightly, vivacious, ebullient.

Related words: latent, which applies to something that has not yet been revealed;
dormant, which applies to something inactive or that seems asleep.

Connotation: Quiescent suggests a temporary cessation of activity, a period of rest or
repose.

23
Q

Define:

Foible (FOY-buul)

A

A weak point, slight fault or flaw,,-minor failing, especially a (usually forgivable) weakness in a person’s character.

Etymology: By derivation foible means the weak part of a sword, and it is related to the
word feeble, weak, frail.

24
Q

Define:

Fervent (FUR-vint)

A

Passionate, having or showing great warmth or intensity of feeling, fiery, earnest, impassioned.

Synonyms: vehement, ardent, fervid, zealous.

Antonyms: lukewarm, listless, apathetic, indifferent, impassive, phlegmatic (fleg-MATik).

Etymology and usage tip: Fervent and fervid both come from the Latin fervere, to boil,
glow. Fervent suggests great warmth and earnestness. Fervid is stronger and suggests
intense, even violent emotion.

25
Q

Define:

Protract (proh-TRAKT)

A

To draw out, drag out, extend in time, lengthen, prolong, especially to excess.

Antonyms: abbreviate, condense, curtail, truncate (Level 7, Word 5).

Etymology and connotation: Protract comes from the Latin tractare, to draw, drag
around. It suggests drawing or dragging something out needlessly, often to the point of
irritation or boredom

26
Q

Define:

Ostentatious (AH-sten-TAY-shus)

A

Showy, extremely conspicuous, extravagant, flamboyant; specifically, displayed or done in a flashy, vain manner.

Antonyms: simple, plain, modest, unassuming

N.B. This discussion distinguishes the words pretentious, pompous, and ostentatious, all
of which refer to persons or things that are showy, extravagant, and self-important.

27
Q

Define:

Quandary (KWAHN-duh-ree)

A

A state of uncertainty, perplexity, or doubt.

Synonyms: predicament, dilemma.

28
Q

Define:

Censure (SEN-shur)

A

To blame, condemn, find fault with, criticize harshly, express stern disapproval of.

Synonyms: denounce, reprimand, reprehend.

Antonyms: commend, extol, laud.

Connotation: Censure usually implies condemnation of irresponsible behavior rather
than condemnation of character.

Usage tip: Be careful not to confuse the words censure, to blame, condemn, find fault
with, and censor (SEN-sur), to suppress or delete something objectionable.

29
Q

Define:

Cavil (KAV’l)

A

To criticize or complain unnecessarily, point out petty flaws, raise trivial or frivolous objections.

Synonyms: nitpick, niggle, carp, quibble. (All these words suggest making unnecessary
criticisms or complaining about trivial things.)

30
Q

Define:

Assimilate (uh-SIM-i-layt)

A

To absorb, take in; also, to adapt to or become absorbed by a system or culture.

Synonyms: comprehend, incorporate, appropriate.

31
Q

Define:

Rescind (ri-SIND)

A

To cancel, take back, take away, remove; also, to render void, annul, repeal.

32
Q

Define:

Discernible (di-SURN-i-buul)

A

Recognizable, detectable, perceptible, capable of being recognized by the senses or by the mind.

Synonyms: apparent, evident, distinguishable, manifest.

Antonyms: obscure, invisible, indistinct, imperceptible.

Related words and etymology: Discernible (adjective), discern (verb), discernment
(noun), and discerning (adjective) come from a Latin word meaning to sift, separate,
distinguish between, and all of these words pertain to sifting or separating things in order
to distinguish them. Challenging synonyms of discernment include astuteness, acumen
(uh-KYOO-min), and perspicacity (PUR-spi-KAS-i-tee).

33
Q

Define:

Cataclysm (KAT-uh-kliz’m)

A

A disaster, great mishap, catastrophe, violent upheaval.

N.B. This discussion distinguishes the synonyms disaster, catastrophe, calamity, debacle
(di-BAHK’l), and cataclysm, all of which refer to accidents, misfortunes, and sudden or
violent changes.

Etymology tips: The negative prefix dis- denotes the absence or reverse of what follows:
dislike is an absence of affection, discomfort is the absence of comfort, disadvantage is
the reverse of an advantage. Catastrophe and cataclysm begin with the Greek kata-,
which means “down.”

  • *Additional useful words:** deluge (DEL-yooj), a great flood or downpour; inundate (INun-
    dayt) , to overflow or overwhelm.
34
Q

Define:

Narcissism (NAR-si-SIZ’m)

A

Self-love, excessive admiration of oneself.

Synonyms: vanity, conceit, egotism, amour-propre (ah-MOOR PROH-pruh).

Antonyms: humbleness, modesty, humility.

Etymology: Narcissism comes from Narcissus, a character in Greek mythology who fell
in love with his reflection in a pool of water.

  • *Related words:** narcissist, a person afflicted with narcissism, self-love; narcissistic
    (adjective) means full of admiration for one’s own appearance, abilities, or achievements.
35
Q

Define:

Incriminate (in-KRIM-i-nayt)

A

To charge with a crime, accuse of wrongdoing, implicate, present evidence or proof of involvement in a wrongful act.

36
Q

Define:

Stigma (STIG-muh)

A

A mark of shame or disgrace, a moral blemish, a stain on one’s character or reputation.

Etymology: Stigma, from Greek, means literally a mark, brand, tattoo; in its original
but no longer common sense, stigma refers to a brand or, scar made with a red-hot iron
in the flesh of slaves and criminals. Later it came to be used of anything that branded a
person as unwholesome or disgraceful, a mark of shame, stain on one’s character or
reputation.

Corresponding verb: stigmatize, to brand as shameful, set a mark of disgrace upon.

N.B. The plural of stigma is either stigmas or stigmata (preferably STIG-muh-tuh, often
stigMAH-tuh). Stigmata, the Latinate plural, may also refer to marks resembling the
wounds on the crucified body of Jesus Christ that are believed to have been
supernaturally impressed on the bodies of certain persons, such as St. Francis of Assisi.

Additional useful word: anglicize, to make English, conform to English modes of
spelling, pronunciation, and usage.

37
Q

Define:

Brevity (BREV-i-tee)

A

(1) Shortness, briefness.
(2) Brief expression, shortness of speech.

Synonyms: (sense 2) conciseness, succinctness, terseness, pithiness.

Etymology and related words: Brief and brevity both come from the Latin brevis, short,
the source also of the unusual word breve (rhymes with leave). A breve is one of the
diacritical marks or symbols used to indicate pronunciation: It’s a small curve, like a tiny
smile, placed over a vbwe1 to indicate a short sound, as in the e in pet or the a in cat.

38
Q

Define:

Perquisite (PUR-kwi-zit)

A

A benefit, incidental gain or reward; specifically, an expected or promised benefit, privilege, or advantage received in addition to one’s normal salary or wages.

39
Q

Define:

Indigent (IN-di-jint)

A

Poor, needy, penniless, impoverished, down-and-out.

Synonyms: destitute, impecunious (IM-pi-KYOO-nee-us).

40
Q

Define:

Clairvoyant (klair-VOY-int)

A

Having exceptional powers of perception, unusually clear-sighted or discerning; specifically, able to see objects or events that others cannot, having extra-sensory perception or the power of divination.

Etymology: the Latin clarus, clear, and videre, to see (literally, “to see clearly what
others cannot”).

Related words: clairvoyance (noun), exceptional insight or perception; clairvoyant
(noun), a person who supposedly possesses the power to see into the future, a medium,
soothsayer.

41
Q

Define:

Adroit (uh-DROYT)

A

Skillful, clever, dexterous; specifically, showing skill in using one’s hands or in using one’s brains.

Synonyms: deft, resourceful, ingenious, artful, adept (Level 1, Word 7).

Antonyms: awkward, clumsy, inept, maladroit (mal-uh-DROYT).

Etymology tips and related words: Adroit comes from Latin through the French droit,
right, and means literally “to the right.” The Latin dexter means on the right side; hence,
skillful. From dexter we inherit the word dexterous, skilled with the hands or body. The
Latin sinister means left, on the left side, and also wrong, evil, unfavorable, adverse, the
meaning of the English word sinister today. People who are ambidextrous are equally
skillful or dexterous with both hands. The unusual word ambisinister means literally
having two left hands, equally awkward with both hands. In French gauche means left,
but also crooked, awkward, clumsy; in English gauche refers to a person who is
awkward, crude, or blundering, or to behavior that lacks culture or social grace.

Usage tip: Adroit may refer either to physical dexterity or mental ingenuity.

42
Q

Define:

Platitude (PLAT-i-t(y)ood)

A

A flat, dull, ordinary, remark, a trite statement or hackneyed saying, especially one uttered as if it were original or profound.

Synonyms: cliche, truism, bromide (BROH-myd).

  • *Etymology:** Platitude comes from the French word for flat, and means literally “a flat
    remark. “

Related words: platitudinous (adjective) refers to speech or expression that is dull,
ordinary, commonplace, insipid, banal. Platitudinize (verb) means to utter platitudes.
A platitudinarian (noun) is a person who habitually utters platitudes-flat, dull,
ordinary remarks.

43
Q

Define:

Fastidious (fa-STID-ee-us)

A

(1) Extremely delicate, sensitive, or particular, especially in matters of taste or behavior.

Synonyms: dainty, fussy, finicky, overnice.

(2) Hard to please, extremely picky or demanding, exacting, critical to a fault.

Etymology and usage: Fastidious descends from Latin words meaning squeamish,
disgusted, disdainful, and conceited. The fastidious person is so excessively concerned
with details that he may become squeamish or disgusted if things are not just right. The
fastidious person may also be so hard to please, so critical and demanding, that she
appears contemptuous of others.

N.B. This discussion distinguishes the words scrupulous, meticulous, punctilious, and
fastidious, all of which suggest demanding standards and careful attention to detail.

44
Q

Define:

Vendetta (ven-DET-uh)

A

A bitter, protracted feud or rivalry.

Etymology: Vendetta comes through Italian from the Latin vindicta, revenge,
vengeance.

Related word: vindictive, vengeful, seeking a revenge.

Usage: Vendetta refers specifically to the violent tradition of revenging the murder of a
relative by killing the murderer or a member of his family. Vendetta is now also used
more generally to mean any long, bitter feud or rivalry, not necessarily between families
and not necessarily attended by bloodshed.

45
Q

Define:

Lucid (LOO-sid)

A

(1) Clear, easy to see or understand, plainly expressed.
(2) Clear of mind, mentally sound, rational, sane.

Synonyms: (sense 1) intelligible, comprehensible, limpid, perspicuous (pur-SPIK-yoous).

Antonyms: murky, obscure, befuddled, nebulous (Level 2, Word 5), ambiguous (Level
2, Word 25), abstruse.

Related word: pellucid (pe-LOO-sid), exceptionally clear, extremely easy to see or
understand.

46
Q

Define:

Salient (SAY-lee-int)

A

Conspicuous, noticeable, prominent; sticking or jutting out.

Synonyms: protruding, manifest, obtrusive, protuberant.

Antonyms: inconspicuous, unassuming, unobtrusive, indiscernible, unostentatious.

Etymology and usage: Salient comes from the Latin verb salire, to leap, jump, spring.
That which is salient seems to leap out at you, jump into view, or spring forward to
command your attention. Salient may apply to things that are conspicuously attractive
or unattractive.

47
Q

Define:

Categorical (KAT-uh-GOR-i-kuul)

A

Absolute, unqualified, explicit; without exceptions, conditions, or qualifications.

Antonyms: ambiguous (Level 2, Word 25), doubtful, dubious, indefinite, enigmatic,
equivocal.

Usage: Categorical refers to statements or assertions that are absolute, unqualified,
direct and explicit. The word often suggests a statement or state of mind that is rigid,
narrow, arrogant, or arbitrary.

48
Q

Define:

Inscrutable (in-SKROO-tuh-buul)

A

Incomprehensible, unfathomable, extremely difficult to understand, not open to investigation or analysis.

Synonyms: mysterious, impenetrable, esoteric, arcane (ar-KAYN).

Antonyms: lucid (Level 4, Word 45), perspicuous.

Etymology: Inscrutable combines the negative prefix in-, which means not, with the
Latin scrutari, to examine, inspect, search thoroughly.

Related words: scrutinize, to investigate, examine closely; scrutiny, a close
examination.

Usage tips: The phrase “an inscrutable smile” is a cliche, a hackneyed expression;
unless you’re trying to be humorous, it’s best to avoid it altogether. Also, in the past
inscrutable was often applied to Asians or to the Asian race. Today this use is
considered not only cliche but also derogatory and offensive.

49
Q

Define:

Construe (kun-STROO)

A

To interpret, explain the meaning or intention of.

Related words: construct, construction.

Etymology: By derivation, the verb to construe means to put a particular construction
on something, to interpret it, explain its underlying meaning or intention.

50
Q

Define:

Allude (uh-LOOD)

A

To refer to something indirectly, make a casual reference.

Synonyms: suggest, hint, insinuate, intimate (IN-ti-mayt).

Antonyms: indicate, specify, detail, enumerate.

Corresponding noun: allusion, an indirect, casual, or passing reference.

Verbal Advantage (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions