Vocab 5 Flashcards
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Wry
adj. expressing dry, especially mocking humor
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Dramaturgy
n. the study of dramatic composition
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Parvenus
n. a person of obscure origin who has gained wealth, influence, or celebrity
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Sardonic
adj. grimly mocking or cynical
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Covey
n. a small group of people or things
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Mote
n. speck or small amount
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Trove
n. a store of valuable or delightful things
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Denouement
n. the final part of a play, movie, or narrative
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Abettor
n. one who encourages or assists someone to commit a crime
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Abeyance
n. state of inactivity, disuse, or suspension
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Abiding
adj. (of a feeling or a memory) lasting a long time
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Abjured
v. solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim)
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Abrade
v. to scrape or wear away by friction or erosion
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Abrogate
v. to repeal or do away with; cancel
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Circumspect
adj. wary and unwilling to take risks; cautious; considering all sides
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Circumscribe
v. to restrict (something) within limits
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Circumambulate
v. walk all the way around (something)
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Cicatrix
n. the scar of a healed wound
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Chorales
n. a choir or choral society; simple hymns
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Choleric
adj. bad-tempered or irritable
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Chimerical
adj. of or related to a thing that is hoped or wished for but in fact is illusory or impossible to achieve
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Chide
v. to scold or rebuke
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Chauvinist
n. someone excessively patriotic, prejudiced for a particular group, cause or gender
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Chary
adj. cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something
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Charlatan
n. trickster who claims knowledge he doesn’t have
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Chantey
n. type of song sung by sailors
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Execrable
adj. extremely bad or unpleasant
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Exceptionable
adj. open to objection; causing disapproval or offense
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Apprising
v. to value highly or put a price on or inform someone
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Unctuous
adj. (of a person) using excessive flattery
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Utilitarian
adj. useful
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Malapropism
n. use of similar sounding but incorrect word
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Equivocate
v. use ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself
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Gauche
adj. lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward
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Maladroit
adj. unskillful; clumsy
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Plenary
adj. unqualified, absolute
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Fitfully
adv. Not regularly or continuously; unpredictably
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Fickle
adj. changing frequently, esp. as regards to one’s loyalties, interests, or affection; unpredictable
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Profane
adj. relating or devoted to that which is not sacred or biblical; (of language) blasphemous or obscene
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Hapless
adj. (esp. of a person) unfortunate
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Unpropitious
adj. (of a circumstance) not giving or indicating a good chance of success; unfavorable
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Vicissitude
n. an unexpected change in fortune or circumstances; alternation between opposite or contrasting things
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Untoward
adj. unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient
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Unalloyed
adj. undiluted and pure; total
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Fallow
adj. uncultivated
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Presentiment
n. an intuitive feeling about the future
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Sophistry
n. the use of fallavious arguments, esp. with the intention of deceiving
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Rabble
n. a mob; a disorderly crowd
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Malediction
n. a curse
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Clangor
n. a continuous loud banging or wringing sound
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Sequelae
n. a condition that is the consequence of a previous disease or injury
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Cache
n. a collection of items stored
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Blunderbuss
n. an action or way of doing something regarded as lacking in subtlety and precision; a clumsy person
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Earmark
n. a characteristic or identifying feature
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Vicissitude
n. a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant; alternation between opposite or contrasting things
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Encumbrances
n. a burden or impediment
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Contusion
n. a bruise
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Contrapuntal
adj. of or in counterpoint; (of a piece of music) with two or more independent melodic lines
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Wanton
adj. sexually immodest or promiscuous; (a cruel and violent act) deliberate and unprovoked
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Maven
n. an expert
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Opus
n. an artistic work
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Patricians
n. a member of a long-established wealthy family; an aristocrat or nobleman
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Farce
n. an absurd event
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Mirth
n. amusement esp. as expressed in laughter
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Tare
n. allowance made for container when weighing
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Palliate
v. to make less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause;
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Desultory
adj. lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; aimless; inconsistent with effort
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Pugnacious
adj. eager or quick to argue or quarrel; aggressive, ready to fight
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Garland
v. adorn or crown with a garland; n. a wreath of flowers and leaves
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Puffery
n. exaggerated or false praise
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Pathos
n. a quality that evokes pity or sadness evoking sadness or pity
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Equable
adj. calm and even-tempered
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Ensconce
v. establish or settle someone in a comfortable, safe, or secret place
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Seminal
adj. essential; formative
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Belletristic
adj. of or relating to essays, particularly of literary and artistic criticism, written and read primarily for aesthetic effect
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Efface
v. to erase from the surface
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Parity
n. equality
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Milieu
n. a person’s social environment
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Vim
n. energy or enthusiasm
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Coltish
adj. energetic but awkward in one’s movements or behavior