Vocabulary Flashcards
to guarantee against loss or harm.
insure
In order to i_____ that the tools of privacy are available to all, individual acts of heroism are required.
insure
to consider something deeply and thoroughly
ponder
We must p______ on the mysteries and wonders of the universe and find answers.
ponder
The i_______ of e-tickets means that flight information can be stored, making it virtually impossible to lose a flight ticket.
issuance
something that is printed or published and distributed
issue
a person designated to act for or represent another or others
delegate
To get the benefits of diversified public ownership of firms, shareholders must d______ responsibility to managers, or agents.
delegate
to end or arrive at a final stage
culminate
Workshops c_______ in a public concert featuring singers and participants.
culminate
to reprove or rebuke severely, especially in a formal way.
reprimand
The officers were severely r________ for their unprofessional behaviour.
reprimanded
to keep close watch on someone (idiom)
breathe down one’s neck
to behave towards someone in a way that is not at all friendly, sometimes for reasons that this person does not understand (idiom)
give somebody the cold shoulder
enthusiastic, exuberant
effusive
Everyone in the department was thrilled and e_______ with praise when the book came out.
effusive
wastefully or recklessly extravagant
prodigal
She had been p______ of all her resources, money and energy and imaginative stratagems and loving kindness.
prodigal
severe, rough, or harsh
inclement
Park personnel will then be able to alert you to i________ weather, unforeseen dangers, or go look for you if you don’t return.
inclement
not easily understood
inscrutable
The touch screen required frequent button presses for it to sluggishly reveal yet another i________ multi-layered menu.
inscrutable
things to be done, matters to be acted or voted upon
agenda
The question of inflation is not on the a______ for today’s conference, but nevertheless it should be discussed.
agenda
an introductory part
preface
a secret agreement
collusion
Some of his employees were acting in c________ to rob him.
collusion
to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.
flatter
Adrian was f_______ by the fan mail he received after his new movie became popular.
flattered
to bring under conditions for effective use
harness
Some people may be hyperactive, but perhaps they can h_______ this for something useful.
harness
to look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully
contemplate
Our busy schedule does not allow much time to c_________ the pleasant surroundings.
contemplate
not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain
obscure
But nobody should be fooled by his attempts to o_______ the implications of the educational reforms published this week.
obscure
to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant
acquaint
To begin with he would have to a_______ himself as minutely as he could with the former life which he wished to re-establish.
acquaint
lead, introduce, or conduct
usher
She u_______ them to their seats.
ushered
a temporary falling or slipping from a previous standard
lapse
Despite the novel’s focus on political intrigue and corruption, it is very original and never l_______ into cliche.
lapses
to excel; surpass; outdo.
trump
Methane can probably t______ all other climate factors when enough of it gets loose.
trump
to laugh at in scorn or contempt
deride
Advocates of space exploration, meanwhile, often d______ the space station as too timid a venture.
deride
to mix in a confused mass
jumble
pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to
affable
But the man in the hat is more a______ than terrifying.
affable
deserving praise; praiseworthy
laudable
Spending a year in graduate school is surely more l______ than buying an expensive sports car.
laudable
existing in one from birth
innate
Writer mentions he inherited both an i_____ ability to lie and his mask of sanity from his father.
innate
belonging to a thing by its very nature
intrinsic
Putting a price on i_______ value gives you an extension for life’s dealings.
intrinsic
originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native
indigenous
The potato, i________ to South America, became a staple in Europe soon after its introduction there in 1700.
indigenous
something disadvantageous
liability
capable of being done
feasible
Other projects are in the pipeline, but none has got beyond a f______ study.
feasibility
to give pleasure to (a person or persons) by satisfying desires or humoring inclinations or feelings
gratify
Her praise will g______ all who worked so hard to earn it.
gratify
to make more pleasing
adorn
to instruct or benefit, especially morally or spiritually
edify
to become lively, cheerful, or vigorous, as after depression or sickness
perk
The patients all p_____ up when we played the piano for them.
perked
to control; restrain; check.
curb
The education authority is implementing programs to c______ the number of students quitting high school.
curb
Alta-Travel urges all customers to obtain traveler’s insurance to cover any l________ that might occur.
liabilities
the lack of wastefulness
frugality
to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion
vindicate
I have every confidence that this decision will be fully v_______.
vindicated
to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service
condemn
The meat was c________ as unfit to eat.
condemned
to overpower by superior force
subdue
Julia had to s______ an urge to stroke his hair.
subdue
extremely good; overflowing; plentiful
exuberant
Jill’s e________ character is refreshing in contrast to the cynical customers she serves at the downtown bar.
exuberant
skeptical, questioning
incredulous
Developers and others concerned with the dangers of endangerment raised i________ voices.
incredulous
to inflict severe pain upon; torture, irritate greatly
excruciate
He’s reticent in rare interviews and often appears e_________ by the attention in live performances.
excruciated
pessimistic, suspicious
cynical
City dwellers were thought of as cold, c_____, and unfriendly.
cynical
immoral, illegal, or unethical professional conduct or neglect of professional duty
malpractice
If you accuse someone of m_______, you are accusing them of breaking the law or the rules of their profession in order to gain some advantage for themselves.
malpractice
If there is a d_______ between two things that ought to be the same, there is a noticeable difference between them.
discrepancy
If you c_________ with someone, you show them pity or sympathy when something unpleasant has happened to them.
commiserate
She gave me a look of c________ as I entered the room.
commiseration
The a______ of something or someone is the pleasing or exciting quality that they have.
allure
It’s a game that has really lost its a_____.
allure
If you a______ that something bad is true, you say it but do not prove it.
allege
She a_______ that there was rampant drug use among the male members of the group
alleged
If you a______ someone’s fears or doubts, you stop them feeling afraid or doubtful.
allay
The government’s changes have intensified rather than a_________ public concern about the efficacy of public schooling.
allayed
If something is a______ to someone, it is given to them as their share.
allotted
The seats are a______ to the candidates who have won the most votes
allotted
A c_____ person or action is very cruel and shows no concern for other people or their feelings.
callous
He is c________ about the distress of his neighbors.
callous
Someone who is d_______ has no money or possessions.
destitute
]With no inheritance, he left his family d_______.
destitute
If you receive r____________ for money that you have spent, you get your money back, for example because the money should have been paid by someone else.
reimbursement
She is demanding r________ for medical and other expenses
reimbursement
If you v_______someone or something, you value them or feel great respect for them.
venerate
Mother Theresa has become an object of widespread v________ because of her unfailing work for the poor.
veneration
If you have c_______ for someone or something, you have no respect for them or think that they are unimportant.
contempt
I have nothing but c_______ for the people who despise money.
contempt
If you make a d________ remark or comment about someone or something, you express your low opinion of them.
derogatory
The word “gaffer” came to describe an old man in a slightly d__________ way.
derogatory
