Vocab Builder 7 Flashcards
Adorn
To decorate; lend beauty to
Arabesque
A complex, elaborate design of intertwined scrollwork, foliage, flowers, and other figures
Coruscate
To give off flashes of light; glitter; sparkle
Filigree
An intricate, delicate ornamentation
Fugacious
Passing away quickly; fleeting
Modest
Having a humble opinion of one’s own value, talents, etc.
Palpable
Easily perceived or noticed; obvious
Prescriptive
Something you are told to do in a certain way
Sacrosanct
Regarded as sacred and inviolable
Specter
A haunting image
Apologist
A person who defends or justifies something such as an action, doctrine, or institution
Axiomatic
Of, related to, or like a statement that is universally accepted as true; taken for granted
Corroborate
To confirm as true by giving additional evidence or proof
Demur
To object; show disapproval; to delay
Dissuade
To discourage from an action by persuasion or advice
Extol
To praise highly
Fallacy
A false or mistaken belief or notion; misconception
Obsequious
Excessively willing to serve or obey; fawning
Postulate
To assume as true without proof
Ruminate
To think deeply; reflect; meditate; ponder
Abrogate
To abolish, repeal, or do away with, especially by authority
Arrogate
To claim or seize without a right to do so
Derogatory
Belittling; expressing a low opinion
Interrogate
To ask questions of a person formally or officially
Prerogative
An exclusive right or privilege belonging to a particular person or group
Presage
To warn of in advance; to predict
Prorogue
To delay; postpone. 2) to discontinue a session of
Sagacious
Showing perception, good judgement, and farsightedness; shrewd, wise
Subrogate
To substitute one person or thing for another
Surrogate
One that takes the place of another; a substitute
Conventional
Following accepted custom or practice
Egalitarian
Characterized by belief in equal political, economic, social, and civil rights for all people
Guise
Outward appearance; semblance; a false appearance
Impertinent
Boldly rude or forward; insolent. 2) irrelevant
Impetus
The driving force or impulse; stimulus
Incensed
Made very angry; infuriated
Intrepid
Very brave; fearless
Obeisance
A bodily gesture, such as a bow or a curtsy, that shows respect
Partisan
A fervent supporter of a cause or a person
Reputed
Generally supposed or considered to be such; supposed
Carping
Naggingly or unreasonably critical or complaining
Deferential
Showing courteous respect or regard; respectful
Lethargic
Sluggish, inactive, or apathetic
Patronizing
Characterized by a superior or condescending manner
Phlegmatic
Difficult to rouse to action; calm; unemotional; indifferent; apathetic
Sanctimonious
Pretending to be very religious, pious, or righteous
Sanguine
Cheerful; optimistic; confident; hopeful
Scurrilous
Indecent; coarse; vulgar; foul-mouthed; abusive
Surly
Sullenly rude; bad-tempered; uncivil
Truculent
1) Fierce, savage, or ferocious. 2) Rude, harsh, or scathing
Assent
To agree; concur
Consensus
General agreement or opinion
Dissent
To disagree
Insensate
Without sensation; inanimate
Presentiment
A feeling or sense that something is about to happen
Resentment
Feeling of ill will as a result of a real or imagined grievance
Sensibility
The ability to feel, perceive, or respond
Sententious
Full of or inclined to pompous moralizing
Sentimentality
The quality or condition of being excessively emotional
Sentinel
A person who watches for danger; guard
Archaic
No longer in common use
Askew
Out of the proper position
Chaotic
Full of confusion and disorder
Coherent
Connected in a logical or orderly manner
Controversy
A dispute, especially one that leads to much discussion
Crux
The basic, essential, or most important
Deplore
To regret deeply
Dissolution
A breaking up into parts; disintegration
Engender
To bring into being; cause; produce
Predicate
To base (an action, statement, etc.)
Anathema
A very strong denunciation; curse
Chastise
To punish, discipline, or reprimand, usually severely, in order to correct
Deprecate
To express disapproval
Disapprobation
Disapproval
Invective
A violent verbal attack; abusive language
Recriminate
To answer an accusation by accusing in return
Reproach
To express disappointment in or disapproval of someone
Reproof
Criticism; disapproval
Trenchant
Sharp; cutting; incisive
Vituperative
Using, containing, or characterized by harsh, abusive, or bitter language
Cognizant
Fully aware; informed; concious
Conscientious
Guided by one’s conscience
Omniscient
Knowing everything
Physiognomy
The face; facial features
Plebiscite
A direct vote by the people on a single issue or question
Precognition
Knowledge of a future event, especially by extrasensory perception
Prescient
Having knowledge of actions or events before they occur
Prognosis
A prediction of the probable course of a disease
Prognosticate
To predict a foretell on the basis of present indications
Unconscionable
Not guided or restrained by conscience
Accoutrements
Items of equipment, furnishings, or dress.
Fastidious
Showing careful attention to detail; Hard to please
Functional
Designed for a particular use, duty, or activity; Capable of performing
Patina
A change in appearance resulting from a continued behavior, practice, or use
Preclude
To make impossible; prevent
Prepossessing
Impressing favorably; pleasing
Prototype
The original type, form, or model on which something is based
Redolent
Having a pleasant odor; sweet-smelling; fragrant
Romantic
Imaginative but not practical or real; idealized
Rustic
Characteristic of country life or country people; rural
Alacrity
Eagerness; willingness
Celerity
Swiftness, speed; quickness
Ennui
A feeling of listlessness, weariness, or discontent resulting from inactivity or lack of interest; boredom
Indolent
Disliking or avoiding work; lazy; idle
Langour
Listlessness; a quality of dreamy laziness
Lissome
Supple; flexible; limber; agile
Quiescent
Being at rest; quiet; still; inactive
Sedulous
Diligent and hardworking; persistent
Somnolence
Sleepiness; drowsiness
Soporific
Causing or tending to cause sleep.
