vocab Flashcards
avarice (n.)
a greedy desire, particularly for
wealth
dilatory (adj.)
tending to delay or
procrastinate; not prompt;
intended to delay or postpone
adulation (n.)
praise or flattery that is
excessive
equivocate (v.)
to speak or act in a way that
allows for more than one
interpretation; to be deliberately
vague or ambiguous
egregious (adj.)
conspicuous, standing out from
the mass (used particularly in an
unfavorable sense)
abate (v.)
to make less in amount, degree,
etc.; to subside, become less; to
nullify; to deduct, omit
pretentious (adj.)
done for show, striving to make
a big impression; claiming merit
or position unjustifiably;
ambitious
supposition (n.)
something that is assumed or
taken for granted without
conclusive evidence
slovenly (adj.)
untidy, dirty, careless
nebulous (adj.)
cloudlike, resembling a cloud;
cloudy in color, not transparent;
vague, confused, indistinct
irresolute (adj.)
unable to make up one’s mind,
hesitating
culpable (adj.)
deserving blame, worthy of
condemnation
anathema (n.)
an object of intense dislike; a
curse or strong denunciation
(often used adjectivally without
the article)
astute (adj.)
shrewd, crafty, showing
practical wisdom
torpid (adj.)
inactive, sluggish, dull
recapitulate (v.)
to review a series of facts; to
sum up
evanescent (adj.)
vanishing, soon passing away;
light and airy
resuscitate (v.)
to revive, bring back to
consciousness or existence
novice (n.)
one who is just a beginner at
some activity requiring skill and
experience (also used
adjectivally)
penury (n.)
extreme poverty; barrenness,
insufficiency
