Week 1 Flashcards
abound
v. exists in large numbers or amounts
“this land abounds with wildlife”
amorphous
adj. without a clearly defined shape or form
“an amorphous blob”
austere
adj. severe or strict with manner, attitude, or appearance
- having no comforts of luxuries, harsh or ascetic “prison conditions could hardly be more austere”
- extremely plain, simple style, unadorned “cathedral is impressive in austere simplicity”
- designed to reduce a budget deficit
Belie
v - fail to give a true notion or impression, disguise or contradict
“his lively, alert manner belied his years”
- fail to fulfil or justify, betray
“ the notebooks belie Darwin’s later recollection”
Capricious
adj. given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood and behavior
“it’s terrible to feel our livelihood hinges on a capricious mother” - me, 15 y/o
cerebral
adj - of or relating to the brain or intellect, appealing to intellectual appreciation
- primarily intellectual in nature
congenial
adj - pleasant because of personality, qualities or interests that are similar to one’s own
- pleasant or agreeable because suited to one’s taste or inclination
“he went back to a climate more congenial to his cold, stony soul”
conspicuous
adj - standing out as to be clearly visible, attracting notice or attention
“he was very thin with a conspicuous Adam’s apple”
cursory
adj - hast and therefore not thorough or detailed
“a cursory glance at the figures”
daunting
adj - seemingly difficult to deal with in anticipation, intimidating
deify
v - worship, regard, or treat (someone/something) as a god
“she was deified by the early Romans as a fertility goddess”
Didactic
adj - intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive
“a didactic novel that set out to expose social injustice”
in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to treat someone in a patronizing way
disseminate
v - spread widely
“health authorities should foster good practice by disseminating information”
feasible
adj - possible to do easily or conveniently
“it is not feasible to put most finds from excavations on public display”
- likely, probably
“the most feasible explanation”
flout
v - openly disregard (a rule, law or convention)
“these same companies still flout basic ethical practices”
homogenous
adj - the same or similar kind in nature
- of uniform structure or composition throughout
humdrum
adj - lacking excitement or variety; dull; monotonous
“humdrum routine of work”
n - dullness, monotony
“an escape from the humdrum of his life”
insipid
adj - lacking flavor
“mugs of insipid coffee”
- lacking vigor or interest
“many artists continued to churn out insipid, shallow works”
Loquacious
adj. tending to talk a great deal; full of excess
“Never loquacious, Sarah was now totally lost for words”
Misanthropic
adj. disliking humankind and avoiding human society
“a misanthropic drunken loser”
Misnomer
n. a wrong or inaccurate name or designation
- “morning sickness is a misnomer for many women since the nausea can occur at any time during the day”
n. a wrong or inaccurate use of a name or term
- “to call this ‘neighborhood policing’ would be a misnomer”
Negligent
adj. failing to take proper care in doing something
“directs have been negligent in the performance of their duties”
Obsequious
adj. obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree; fawning attentiveness
“they were serves by obsequious servers”
Placate
v. make someone less angry/hostile
“they attempted to placate the students with promises”
Proclivity
n. a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition toward a particular thing
“a proclivity for hard work”
Puerile
adj. childishly silly, immature and trivial
“you’re making puerile excuses”
Quixotic
adj. foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals; especially marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action
“in an age of giant chain stores, any attempt at operating an independent bookstore must be regarded as quixotic”
Spendthrift
n. a person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way
“Putt was a spendthrift and a heavy gambler”
Taciturn
adj. (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying litting
“after such gatherings she would be taciturn and morose”
Wary
adj. feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems
“dogs that have been mistreated often remain very wary of strangers”
