Vocabulary 1 Flashcards
hack
v
To hack means to chop, cut or damage in a rough or irregular way. (verb)
An example of to hack is using a splitting maul to chop wood.
To hack means to have a dry harsh cough. (verb)
An example of hack is the type of cough which is often experienced by a person who smokes.
Precarious
adj
Precarious means dependent on forces or circumstances outside one’s control. (adjective)
An example of precarious is swimming in a rough ocean.
Dangerously lacking in security or stability: a precarious posture; precarious footing on the ladder.
Subject to chance or unknown conditions: “His kingdom was still precarious; the Danes far from subdued” (Christopher Brooke).
Based on uncertain, unwarranted, or unproved premises: a precarious solution to a difficult problem.
scabbard
n
A scabbard is a sheath for a sword, dagger, or other type of knife. Some cooks wear their French knives in a scabbard so they’ll be ready to chop no matter where they are in the kitchen.
Conspicuous
adj
Conspicuous describes something that is obvious or easy to see. (adjective)
An example of conspicuous is a naked person on the field during a football game.
Spiteful
adj
Spiteful describes someone who purposely does harm to another. (adjective)
An example of spiteful is walking up to someone and spitting in their face.
malicious
pugnacious
adj
pugnacious means eager to fight or disagree. (adjective)
An example of pugnacious is the small dog who barks and nips at the other dogs in the park.
clandestine
adj
Pick the adjective, clandestine, to describe something that is done in secret, like your clandestine attempts to steal your brother’s Halloween candy.
Rudimentary
adj
Rudimentary describes basic skills, the early stages of development or basic fundamental concepts of education. (adjective)
An example of rudimentary skills are basic reading, writing and math skills. An example of rudimentary is a simple organism such as a single celled organism that has not evolved into a complex plant or animal.
renovate
v
To renovate means to renew or rebuild so that something is in good condition. When you move into an old house, you will probably want to renovate the kitchen and bathrooms.
Haggle
v, n
Haggle means to bargain on a price, or to hack at something. (verb)
An example of haggle is to get the sales price reduced on a house. An example of haggle is to chop down a bush by chopping at its base with a shovel.
A haggle is an act of bargaining, or arguing about price. (noun)
An example of haggle is a situation where the cost of a pair of shoes were bargained down from $100 to $50.
Perseverance
n
Perseverance is persistence in sticking to a plan. (noun)
An example of perseverance is working out for a two hours each day to lose weight.
Integrity
n
Integrity is the following of moral or ethical principles. (noun)
An example of integrity is the adherence to all of the Ten Commandments.
Peril
n
Peril is danger or exposure to harm. (noun)
An example of peril is bungee jumping.
perk
n, v
To perk means to stick up or liven up. (verb)
An example of to perk is to bounce up after a nap.
A perk is a benefit. (noun)
An example of a perk is a reward points package with a credit card.
Exorbitant
adj
Exorbitant means something that is excessive or goes beyond reasonable. (adjective)
An example of exorbitant is the price of a dress that is too high as compared to similar dresses.
soloist
n
a person who performs a solo
brag
v
To brag means to talk proudly or boast about a personal accomplishment. (verb)
An example of to brag is telling your family about your great promotion and salary increase.
caveat
n
A caveat is a warning. (noun)
An example of caveat is a police officer telling someone to stop or they’ll shoot.
defilement
n
defilement to make filthy or dirty; pollute to make ceremonially unclean to corrupt to profane or sully (as a person's name)
parable
n
A parable is a simple story with a moral or a story told to teach a lesson. (noun)
An example of a parable is the story about the boy who cried wolf, which is used to teach kids not to lie.
Astound
n
Astound means to shock, surprise or amaze. (verb)
If you tell someone something that is totally amazing or confusing, this is an example of astound.
satire
n
A satire is the use of irony, sarcasm and humor to criticize or show the ignorance of people. (noun)
An example of satire is The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Snide
adj
Snide describes someone or something rude, snobby, mocking, devious or underhanded. (adjective)
When you ask a question and someone says "duh, everyone knows that!," this is an example of a snide remark. A person who is constantly answering questions with "umm... stupid question," is an example of a person who would be described as snide.
Arbitrary
adj
Arbitrary describes something that is determined by judgment or whim and not for any specific reason or rule. (adjective)
An example of an arbitrary decision would be a decision to go to the beach, just because you feel like it. An example of arbitrary behavior would be getting mad at someone even when they haven't done anything wrong.