Vocab 6e-f Flashcards
Fallacious
(adj. ) Built on unsound logic; containing a fallacy (fallacy = logical mistake)
(adj. ) Misleading or delusive
Pragmatic
(adj.) Practical; dealing in facts or real-world occurrences rather than theory or ideals
Debacle
(n) An utter disaster, collapse, or failure
(n) A rout or violent downfall
Tribute
(n) A gift, service, or other demonstration of gratitude, admiration, or affection
(n) Evidence or something indicating a praiseworthy quality or characteristic
(n) Payment given or extracted as a sign of submission or in exchange for protection
Inundate
(v) To cover in water, as in a flood or torrential rain
(v) To overwhelm
Turbulence
(n) Violent commotion or disorder
Inveigle
(v) To lure, induce, or win over by using flattery
(v) To obtain by flattery or coaxing
“Wan inveigled her way into a promotion”
Ferment
(v) 1. To undergo or cause fermentation (such as yogurt or other such foods)
2. To excite or agitate; to foment
(n) A state of agitation, unrest, or tumult (“the political ferment may lead to revolt”)
Alacrity
(n) Cheerful willingness or promptness
Fetid
(adj.) Offensive-smelling
Decorous
(adj.) Dignified, correct, or proper in manner or conduct
Jabber
(v) To talk rapidly, incoherently, or nonsensically
Jibe
(v) To be in harmony; agree
Gibe
(v) To jeer, taunt, or deride
(n) A mocking or sarcastic remark
Jocular
(adj.) Characterized by or given to playful jesting; jolly
Fecund
(adj.) Fruitful, fertile
Refractory
(adj.) Stubbornly disobedient; hard to manage
“his refractory pony”
Labile
(adj.) Apt or likely to change
“persons whose blood pressure is more labile will carry an enhanced risk of heart attack”
Base
(adj. ) Mean-spirited, contemptible, or selfish
(adj. ) Showing a lack of values or ethics
(adj. ) Of inferior value or quality
Pettifogger
(n) A shifty or unethical lawyer
(n) A person who bickers or quibbles over trivial matters
“the sketchy lawyer who is angered by trivial things”
Confabulate
(v) Chat; talk casually
(v) To make things up; in psychology, to fill in gaps in one’s memory with “fabulous” stories
Fetter
(v) Shackle, put in chains, or restrict the freedom of
“the Supervisor tossed a key to the old slave to unlock the chain that fettered the prisoners together”
Vaunt
(v) Brag about
Sophomoric
(adj. ) Immature; showing lack of judgment
(adj. ) Pretentious and immature at the same time
“pretentious and immature sophomore”
