voc11-perso Flashcards
slight
an insult caused by a failure to show someone proper respect or attention
bystander
a person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part
damping
reduction in the amplitude
untoward
unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient
compunction
a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad
impede
delay or prevent;hinder
bad-mouth
criticize behind their back
behest
person’s order or command; “at his behest”
foment
instigate or stir up
blunt
not having a sharp edge or point
implement
a tool, utensil, or other piece of equipment that is used for a particular purpose
forthright
direct and outspoken
relentless
harsh or inflexible (a patient but relentless taskmaster) ; unceasingly intense
uncompromising
harsh or relentless; unwillingness to make concessions to others
lurid
unpleasantly bright in colour, especially so as to create a harsh or unnatural effect;presented in vividly shocking or sensational terms: the more lurid details of the massacre were too frightening for the children.
sullen
bad-tempered and sulky
Sidle
walk in a furtive, unobtrusive, or timid manner, especially sideways or obliquely
Cock
Tilt in a particular direction
Hush
Make someone be quiet or stop talking
Pandemonium
Wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar
Baffle
Totally bewilder or perplex
Wring
squeeze and twist (something) to force liquid from it
- “I’d like to wring his neck”
Impetuous
acting or done quickly and without thought or care
Spindly
long or tall and thin;
weak or insubstantial in construction;
spindly chairs
Cocky
conceited or confident in a bold or cheeky way
Conceited
excessively proud of oneself; vain
Broom
a long-handled brush of bristles or twigs, used for sweeping
Shifty
appearing deceitful or evasive
Rejoinder
a reply, especially a sharp or witty one
Gait
a person’s manner of walking
Listless
lacking energy or enthusiasm
Crock
An obvious lie
Wiggle room
capacity or scope for negotiation or operation, especially in order to modify a previous statement or decision.
Overarching
comprehensive or all-embracing
Tumbledown
falling or fallen into ruin
Apoplexy
extreme anger
Crony
close friend
Seemly
conforming to accepted notions of propriety or good taste; decorous
To smart
feel a sharp stinging pain
- “Susan rubbed her smarting eyes”
feel upset and annoyed:
Switch
a slender, flexible shoot cut from a tree.
rejoinder
a reply, especially a sharp or witty one
Slack
having or showing laziness or negligence
Self-possessed
composed;
calm, confident, and in control of one’s feelings
Limp
a gait impeded by injury or stiffness
To vent / Vent
- give free expression to
- the release or expression of a strong emotion, energy
“children give vent to their anger in various ways”
To vent / Vent
- give free expression to
- the release or expression of a strong emotion, energy
“children give vent to their anger in various ways”
slovenly
Untidy and dirty / careless
sham
bogus; false;falsely present something as the truth
Stroke
move one’s hand with gentle pressure over (a surface), typically repeatedly; caress
Squirm
wriggle or twist the body from side to side, especially as a result of nervousness or discomfort; show or feel embarrassment or shame
Ribald - Bawdy
referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way
Soot
French for “suie”
throes
intense or violent pain and struggle, especially accompanying birth, death, or great change: he convulsed in his death throes
Sporting
fair and generous in one’s behaviour or treatment of others, especially in a contest
Trifling
unimportant or trivial
Chafe
make or become sore by rubbing against something
-“the collar chafed his neck”
Dent
a reduction in amount or size
Kindred
one’s family and relations
bashful
reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy
Tantrum
an uncontrolled outburst of anger and frustration, typically in a young child
Nonplus
surprise and confuse (someone) so much that they are unsure how to react
Pluck
spirited and determined courage
Careworn
tired and unhappy because of prolonged worry
Grind
reduce (something) to small particles or powder by crushing it
Scavange
search for and collect (anything usable) from discarded waste:
Headlong
in a rush; with reckless haste
Pig-headed
stupidly obstinate
Smug
having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one’s achievements
Distraught
very worried and upset
Despondent
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage
Knack
an acquired or natural skill at doing something;
a tendency to do something
Shrive oneself
present oneself to a priest for confession, penance, and absolution
Shrive
hear the confession of, assign penance to, and absolve
Dairy
containing or made from milk
Glade
an open space in a wood or forest
-“a forest glade”
Curt
Rudely brief
A Lean-to
a building sharing one wall with a larger building, and having a roof that leans against that wall.
a temporary shelter, either supported or free-standing.
-“a lean-to garage”
An inkling
a slight knowledge or suspicion; a hint
Wag
move or cause to move rapidly to and fro
Chirpy
cheerful and lively
Slovenly
untidy and dirty; careless excessively casual
Prissy
fussily and excessively respectable
Yarn
spun (spin?) thread used for knitting, weaving, or sewing [laine ?]
- OR : tell a long or implausible story
Squall
- a sudden violent gust of wind or localized storm
- a loud cry
Doze
sleep lightly
Lull
- calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements
- make (someone) feel deceptively secure or confident: the rarity of earthquakes there has lulled people into a false sense of security.
- a temporary interval of quiet or lack of activity
Stalk
the main stem of a herbaceous plant
-“ he chewed a stalk of grass”
Dear
expensive (british)
Taut
stretched or pulled tight; not slack
Dismay
Concern and distress caused by something unexpected
Rangy
tall and slim with long, slender limbs
A brace of geese
A pair of geese (oie ?)
Honeyed
soothing, soft, and intended to please
Coil
Une bobine (joined sequence of concentric rings) From latin: gather collect
Ravel
Confuse or complicate
- “I’d prefer you to keep your nose out of my business and not ravel things further”
Untangle
free from a tangled (twisted together untidily; matted) or twisted state:
-“fishermen untangled their nets”
make (something complicated or confusing) easier to understand or deal with:
-“he knew he’d have to untangle a financial mess and somehow restore investor confidence”
Ravel something out
Untangle something
Fray
unravel or become worn at the edge, typically through constant rubbing
- “cheap fabric soon frays”
OR:
(of a person’s nerves or temper) show the effects of strain:
-“as the temperature rose, tempers frayed”
OR : a situation of intense competitive activity / a battle or fight
Tangle
twist together into a confused mass
Husky
sounding low-pitched and slightly hoarse
Leet
look or gaze in a lascivious or unpleasant way
Fidget
be impatient or uneasy. Restlessness / Uneasiness
Doleful
causing grief or misfortune - expressing sorrow
