vocab Flashcards
What is the definition of ‘aberration’?
An aberration is a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome.
What does ‘abhor’ mean?
To regard with disgust or hatred.
What does ‘acquiesce’ mean?
To accept something reluctantly but without protest.
What does ‘alacrity’ mean?
Brisk and cheerful readiness.
What does ‘amiable’ mean?
Having a friendly and pleasant manner.
What does ‘appease’ mean?
To pacify or placate someone by acceding to their demands.
What does ‘arcane’ mean?
Understood by few; mysterious or secret.
What does ‘avarice’ mean?
Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
What does ‘brazen’ mean?
Bold and without shame.
What does ‘brusque’ mean?
Abrupt or offhand in speech or manner.
What does ‘cajole’ mean?
To persuade someone to do something by flattery or coaxing.
What does ‘callous’ mean?
Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
What does ‘candour’ mean?
The quality of being open and honest; frankness.
What does ‘chide’ mean?
To scold or rebuke.
What does ‘circumspect’ mean?
Wary and unwilling to take risks.
What does ‘clandestine’ mean?
Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.
What does ‘coerce’ mean?
To persuade an unwilling person to do something by using force or threats.
What does ‘coherent’ mean?
Logical and consistent.
What does ‘complacency’ mean?
A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.
What does ‘confidant’ mean?
A person with whom one shares a secret or private matter.
What does ‘connive’ mean?
To secretly allow something considered immoral, illegal, wrong, or harmful to occur.
What does ‘cumulative’ mean?
Increasing or increased in quantity, degree, or force by successive additions.
What does ‘cynical’ mean?
Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
What does ‘debase’ mean?
To reduce in quality or value; to degrade.
What does ‘decry’ mean?
To publicly denounce or criticize.
What does ‘deferential’ mean?
Showing respect and esteem due to a superior or elder.
What does ‘demure’ mean?
Reserved, modest, and shy.
What does ‘deride’ mean?
To express contempt for; to ridicule.
What does ‘despot’ mean?
A ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way.
What does ‘diligent’ mean?
Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties.
What does ‘elated’ mean?
In high spirits; extremely pleased.
What does ‘eloquent’ mean?
Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
What does ‘embezzle’ mean?
To steal or misappropriate funds placed in one’s trust or belonging to one’s employer.
What does ‘enmity’ mean?
A state of feeling or being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
What does ‘erudite’ mean?
Having or showing great knowledge or learning.
What does ‘extolling the virtues’ mean?
To praise enthusiastically.
What does ‘fabricate’ mean?
To invent or concoct something, typically with deceitful intent.
What does ‘feral’ mean?
In a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication.
What does ‘forsake’ mean?
To abandon or renounce something.
What does ‘fractious’ mean?
Irritable and quarrelsome.
What does ‘furtive’ mean?
Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt.
What does ‘gluttony’ mean?
Excessive indulgence in food or drink.
What does ‘gratuitous’ mean?
Uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted.
What does ‘haughty’ mean?
Arrogantly superior and disdainful.
What does ‘hypocrisy’ mean?
The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform.
What does ‘impeccable’ mean?
In accordance with the highest standards; faultless.
What does ‘impertinent’ mean?
Not showing proper respect; rude.
What does ‘implacable’ mean?
Unable to be placated; relentless.
What does ‘implicit’ mean?
Implied though not plainly expressed.
What does ‘impudent’ mean?
Not showing due respect for another person; impertinent.
What does ‘incisive’ mean?
Clear and sharp; intelligently analytical.
What does ‘indolent’ mean?
Wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.
What does ‘inept’ mean?
Having or showing no skill; clumsy.
What does ‘infamy’ mean?
The state of being well known for some bad quality or deed.
What does ‘inhibit’ mean?
To hinder, restrain, or prevent an action or process.
What does ‘innate’ mean?
Inborn; natural.
What does ‘insatiable’ mean?
Impossible to satisfy.
What does ‘insular’ mean?
Ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one’s own experience.
What does ‘intrepid’ mean?
Fearless; adventurous.
What does ‘inveterate’ mean?
Having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change.
What does ‘jubilant’ mean?
Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.
What does ‘lithe’ mean?
Thin, supple, and graceful.
What does ‘lurid’ mean?
Very vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect.
What does ‘maverick’ mean?
An unorthodox or independent-minded person.
What does ‘maxim’ mean?
A short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct.
What does ‘meticulous’ mean?
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
What does ‘modicum’ mean?
A small quantity of a particular thing, especially something considered desirable or valuable.
morose
sullen and ill-tempered
myriad
a countless or extremely great number
nadir
the lowest point
nominal
existing in name only
novice
a person new to or inexperienced in a field
nuance
a subtle difference in meaning or opinion
oblivious
not aware of or concerned about what is happening
obsequious
obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
obtuse
annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand
panacea
a solution or remedy for all difficulties
parody
an imitation of the style of a particular writer or genre
penchant
a strong or habitual liking for something
perusal
the action of reading or examining something
plethora
a large or excessive amount of something
predilection
a preference or special liking for something
quaint
attractively unusual or old-fashioned
rash
acting or done without careful consideration
refurbish
to renovate and redecorate
repudiate
to refuse to accept or be associated with
rife
widespread, especially to an increasing degree
salient
most noticeable or important
serendipity
the occurrence of events by chance in a happy way
staid
sedate, respectable, and unadventurous
superfluous
unnecessary, especially through being more than enough
sycophant
a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important
taciturn
reserved or uncommunicative in speech
truculent
eager or quick to argue or fight
umbrage
offense or annoyance
venerable
accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age
vociferous
expressing or characterized by vehement opinions
wanton
deliberate and unprovoked
zenith
the time at which something is most powerful or successful
