Vocabulary Flashcards
3 new words/ day
futile (adj)
incapable of producing any useful result, completely ineffective
Syn: vain, fruitless
contentious (adj)
causing or likely to cause argument and disagreement
Syn: controversial
insofar as (adv)
to the extent/degree that
i.e: We agree only insofar as the budget is concerned
preclude ____(v)
someone from verb-ing
1) to prevent someone from doing something
i.e: His difficulties preclude him from leading a normal life
2) make impossible
i.e: The secret nature of his work precluded official recognition
construe ____ (v)
ST as ST
interpret in a particular way or with respect to a given set of circumstances
i.e: Her frustration was construed as anger.
lucrative (adj)
producing great deal of profits
entrench (v)
1) establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely.
i.e: a father who entrenched in our minds the belief that hard work pays off
2) establish firmly or solidly
i.e: entrenched themselves in the business
muddle (n)
disorganized and confused state
Syn: mess, chaos
i.e: The finances were in a muddle
maxim (n)
a concise expression or proverb of a general truth or fundamental principle
i.e: Mother’s favorite maxim was “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
proprietor (n)
a person who has the legal right or exclusive title to something (real estate, business, patent…)
Syn: owner
i.e: The proprietor of a patent may wish to be selective about markets and granting licences.
encompass (v)
1) include
Syn: comprehend, envelope
i.e: A plan that encompasses a number of aims
2) to form a circle/ surround
Syn: enclose, embrace, encircle
i.e: a neighborhood encompassed by a highway
abate (v)
**Intransitive verb: **
1) to decrease in force or intensity
i.e: waiting for the storm to abate
2) to reduce in value or amount
Transitive verb:
1) to put an end to (nullify/void)
2) moderate
Syn: abate their rancor to win peace
3) to deduct, omit
The mechanic consultant already abated part of the cost
aberration (n)
something or someone regarded as atypical and therefore able to be ignored or discounted
Syn: outliers
i.e: The drop in our school’s test scores was dismissed as an aberration.
acclaim (v) (n)
(v) - to praise enthusiastically and publicly
i.e: The critics have acclaimed her performance.
(n) - praise, applause
He deserves acclaim for all his charitable works.
acquisitive (adj)
showing a strong desire of acquiring and possessing (wealth, material things)
Syn: avaricious, greedy, covetous
i.e: He was known for his acquisitiveness, buying any art work that caught his eye
acreage (n)
land measured in acres
Our property is large, but much of the acreage is swampland not suitable for building
adherent (n)
a person who sticks to a belief or a cause
Syn: follower, disciple
i.e: She has long been an adherent of the Communist Party.
ad-lib (adj) (adv)
(Adj) spoken, composed, or performed without preparation
(Adv) without restraint or limit
in accordance with one’s wishes
Ex: There apparently were an ad lib remark that Vladimir Putin just can’t remain in power
adopt (v)
1) to begin to practice or use (such as approach/manner)
2) take and make one’s own.
3) to accept formally and put into effect (law/policy)
advent (n)
arrival
i.e: Transportation was transformed by the advent of the internal combustion engine.
adverse (adj)
1) acting against or in a contrary direction (hostile)
- The forecasters are expecting adverse weather for the next few days.
2) opposed to one’s interest or position (in an unfavorable or harmful way)
- They received a lot of adverse publicity/criticism about the changes.
agency (non-traditional meaning)
an exertion of power or influence
- the ability to take action or to choose what action to take
i.e: The protest gave us a sense of agency, a sense of our own power to make a difference.
aggravate (v)
1) make ST worse, more serious or severe
2) to make (someone) angry or irritated especially by annoyance
i.e: Road repair work has aggravated the problem of traffic congestion.
altogether (adv)
1) wholly, completely
i.e: I stopped seeing her altogether”
2) in all, in total
i.e: he had forty-six children altogether
3) taking everything into consideration; on the whole
Syn: overall
i.e: It was an altogether stunning new design