Week 7 Flashcards
Implacable
Cannot be pacified, inexorable*
The detective was implacable in his search for the murder weapon.
Paroxysm
A fit, sudden outburst
In a paroxysm of rage, the tenant stormed out of the landlord’s office.
Reprehensible
Worthy of blame
The brash* student was forced to apologize for her reprehensible conduct.
Jurisdiction
Power, range of authority
Saying that it was beyond his jurisdiction, Judge Klein refused to rule on the case.
Skirmish
Small fight, brief encounter
The precocious* boy enjoyed an intellectual skirmish with his elders.
Harass
To trouble, torment
In anonymous telephone callers harass you, the phone company will give you an unlisted number.
Monolithic
Massively solid
George Orwell’s 1984 depicts a frightening, monolithic government.
Indigent
Poor, needy
The indigent client was surprised when she was accosted* by her social worker in the elegant restaurant.
Arbitrary
Based on whim, dictatorial
To my mind, the decision was unreasonable and arbitrary.
Fray
A fight
After the fray, the feuding families agreed to patch up their differences.
Stymie
To hinder, impede
“Cause of cancer continues to stymie doctors”
Effigy
A likeness (usually of a hated person)
Coach of losing team hanged in effigy.
Flout
Show contempt, scoff*
Many motorists flout traffic laws, study reveals.
Cognizant
Aware
F.B.I. cognizant of clandestine* gangland meeting.
Turbulent
Unruly, agitated
Turbulent atmosphere in angry senate chamber.
Terminate
To end
In seemed incongruous* to terminate his employment just when he was so successful.
Forthwith
Immediately
Upon seeing the show, he called the TV studio forthwith to protest.
Exacerbate
To irritate, make worse
The arrest of the spy did much to exacerbate relations between the two countries.
Revert
Return
After taking the drug, she began to revert to the days of her childhood.
Oust
To drive out, eject
The ushers moved with alacrity* to oust the disorderly patrons.
