vocab #10-12 Flashcards
aspire
to long, aim, or speak ambitiously
dense
compact or crowded
emulate
try to equal or excel; imitates with effort
grotesque
odd or unnatural in shape or appearance
inextricably
unable to be separated
intrinsic
belonging to a thing by its very nature
overt
open to view or knowledge; not concealed
rail
to utter bitter complaint (often followed by “at” or “against”)
reconcile
to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent
unprecedented
without previous instance; never before known or experienced
au contraire
on the contrary; on the opposite side
coup d’ etat
sudden violent or illegal seizure of government
elan
combination of style and vigor
esprit de corps
sense of unity and of common interests and responsibilities (among a group)
faux pas
social blunder or indiscretion; slip in etiquette/manners, or conduct
laissez faire
non-interference; indifference, especially in the affairs of others
nouveau riche
person who is newly rich and is regarded as ostentatious or lacking social graces
par excellence
an example of excellence; superior
savoir-faire
knowledge of just what to do in any situation; tact
tete-a-tete
private conversation between two people
confluence
flowing together; coming together
effluent
something that flows out or forth
fluctuate
to change continually; shift back and forth
fluent
able to speak or write smoothly, easily
genuflect
to bend the knee or touch one knee to the floor in reverence
inflexible
unalterable; resistant to being bent; rigid
influx
arrival or entry of many people or things
mellifluous
smooth or honeyed; sweet(speaking of sounds or utterances)
reflex
occurring in reaction; responsive; automatic response
superfluous
being more than is sufficient or required; excessive
