Vocab Builder Flashcards
eschatology
the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind.
messianic
inspired by hope or belief in a messiah.
fervent or passionate
denouement
the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved..
the climax of a chain of events, usually when something is decided or made clear.
ersatz (erˌzäts)
(of a product) made or used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else.
- not real or genuine
aberrant
departing from an accepted standard. diverging from the normal type.
equanimity
mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
epistolary
(of a literary work) in the form of letters.
provisional
arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later.
anodyne
not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive, often deliberately so.
consternation
feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.
“I always welcomed clover, much to the consternation of the neighbors”
opprobrium
harsh criticism or censure.
the public disgrace arising from someone’s shameful conduct.
propriety
the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.
- the details or rules of behavior conventionally considered to be correct.
interminable
endless (often used hyperbolically).
décolletage
a low neckline on a woman’s dress or top.
a woman’s cleavage as revealed by a low neckline.
depilate
remove the hair from
protean
tending or able to change frequently or easily.
- able to do many different things; versatile.
Despondent
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.
Canard
an unfounded rumor or story.
“the old canard that LA is a cultural wasteland”
Asperity
harshness of tone or manner
Acrid
having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell.
angry and bitter.
Capacious
having a lot of space inside; roomy.
“she rummaged in her capacious handbag”
Attenuation
the reduction of the force, effect, or value of something.
“human security required the attenuation of a wide range of threats to people”
Flotsam
the wreckage of a ship or its cargo found floating on or washed up by the sea.
synonyms: wreckage, cargo, remains; More
people or things that have been rejected and are regarded as worthless.
“the room was cleared of boxes and other flotsam”
halcyon
denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.
Apostasy
the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.
Simian
relating to, resembling, or affecting apes or monkeys.
n. ape or monkey
Abstemious
not self-indulgent, especially when eating and drinking.
““We only had a bottle.” “Very abstemious of you.””
Ignominious
adjective
adjective: ignominious
deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
“no other party risked ignominious defeat”
Precipitous
dangerously high or steep.
(of a change to a worse situation or condition) sudden and dramatic.
2. (of an action) done suddenly and without careful consideration.
Licentious (līˈsenSHəs)
promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters.
synonyms: dissolute, dissipated, debauched, degenerate, immoral, naughty, wanton, decadent, depraved, sinful, corrupt;
Sprightly
(especially of an old person) lively; full of energy. “she was quite sprightly for her age”
Disquisition
a long or elaborate essay or discussion on a particular subject.
Sanguine
- optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.
Longueurs
a tedious passage in a book or other work.
Gumption
shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness. “she had the gumption to put her foot down and head Dan off from those crazy schemes”
Forbearance
patient self-control; restraint and tolerance.
“forbearance from taking action”
Propitiate
win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them.
Fatuous
Adj. silly and pointless . A fatuous comment
Rueful
Expressing sorrow or regret esp. when in a slightly humorous way. : she gave a rueful grin
Remeditation
The action of remedying something, in particular of reversing or stopping environmental damage.
Forlorn
Pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.
Unlikely to succeed
Infelicities
A thing that is inappropriate esp. a remark or expression.
Garrulous
Excessively talkative esp. on trivial matters.
Inchoate
just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary.
Cynosure
a person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration
Apotheosis
the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax.
