Week2 Flashcards
laconic /ləˈkɑːnɪk/ (a)
(a) expressing much in few words
Ex: His speech was usually rambling, but this time I found it brief and laconic
throng /θrɔːŋ/ (n)
(n) a crowd of people
Ex: A howling throng of teenage girls surrounded the pop stars
Ex: We pushed our way through the throng
intrepid /ɪnˈtrepɪd/ (a)
(a) brave
Ex: An intrepid reporter accosted the Chief Executive
Ex: The corporal received the Silver Star for his intrepid deeds in combat
accost /əˈkɔːst/ (v)
(v) to approach and speak to (especially in a way that is rude or threatening)
Ex: If a surly panhandler should accost you, keep on walking
Ex: An intrepid reporter accosted the Chief Executive
reticent /ˈretɪsnt/ (a)
(a) inclined to be reserved, unwilling to tel ppl abt things
Ex: Even under repeated questioning, the witness remained reticent.
furtive /ˈfɜːrtɪv/ (a)
(a) do thing quietly and secretly, STEALTHY /ˈstelθi/
Ex: In a furtive manner she removed her shoes and tiptoed up to her room
felon /ˈfelən/ (n)
(n) a person guilty of a major crime
Ex: When his wife learned that Bob associated with a dangerous felon, she divorced him
plethora /ˈpleθərə/ (n)
(n) EXCESS, an amount that is greater than is needed or can be used
Ex: When the teacher asked why the homework had not been done, he was greeted by a plethora of incredible alibis.
hapless /ˈhæpləs/ (a)
(a) unfortunate
Ex: The hapless contest winner was unable to locate the lucky ticket.
irate /aɪˈreɪt/ (a)
(a) angry, incensed
Ex: My uncle was irate when the drunken driver swerved in front of us.
sword /sɔːrd/ of Damocles /ˈdæməkliːz/
(Idiom) any imminent danger
Ex: Although the president of the company seemed quite secure, he always believed that there was a sword of Damocles hanging over his head.
Pyrrhic victory /ˌpɪrɪk ˈvɪktəri/
(I) a too costly victory
Ex: In heavy fighting, the troops managed to recapture the hill, but it could only be considered a Pyrrhic victory, given the significant loss of life.
pretext /ˈpriːtekst/ (n)
(n) An excuse
Ex: Her pretext of being tired did not fool us for an instant
fabricate /ˈfæbrɪkeɪt/ (v)
(v) to lie, construct
Ex: When interviewed by the director, he had to fabricate a tale of his medical experience, but he was so adroit at lying that he got away with it.
(be) adroit (at) /əˈdrɔɪt/
(a) skillful and clever, esp in dealing with people
Ex: My nephew is quite adroit at making model airplanes
Ex: When interviewed by the director, he had to fabricate a tale of his medical experience, but he was so adroit at lying that he got away with it.
gesticulate /dʒeˈstɪkjuleɪt/ (v)
(v) to move the arms energetically (to attract attention)
Ex: It’s difficult to miss the traffic officer when he gesticulates at the onrushing cars.
Ex: She was shouting and gesticulating from the other side of the road
vigilant /ˈvɪdʒɪlənt/ (a)
(a) watchful, very careful to notice any signs of danger or trouble
Ex: The shootings at Columbine High School made educators much more vigilant.
wet blanket /ˈblæŋkɪt/ (I)
(i) one who spoils the fun
Ex: Everyone wanted the party to go on, but Romie, the wet blanket, decided to go home to bed.
phony /ˈfoʊni/(a)
(a) not genuine, fraudulent /ˈfrɔːdʒələnt/
cajole /kəˈdʒoʊl/ into doing sth(v)
(v) to COAX /koʊks/ - make sb do sth by talking to them & being very nice to them
Ex: Whenever I can cajole my father into accompanying me
rudimentary /ˌruːdɪˈmentri/ (a)
(a) elementary, dealing with only the most basic matters or ideas
Ex: Since my grasp of calculus is rudimentary, I cannot solve the problem
Ex: He has only a rudimentary knowledge of the game, and since I am steeped in it, I enjoy explaining its intricate details to him.
nuance /ˈnuːɑːns/ (n)
(n) slight variation in meaning, ton, etc.
Ex: It certainly does enhance your appreciation of football when you are aware of every nuance of the sport.
the stars align (I)
(I) when an unexpected event takes place
Ex: It seemed the stars had aligned when Demetrius got his wish to play first violin in the orchestra
intricate /ˈɪntrɪkət/ (a)
(a) having a lot of different parts and small details that fit together
Ex: since I am steeped in it, I enjoy explaining its intricate details to him
Ex:an intricate network of loyalties and relationships
grasp /ɡræsp/(n)
(n) a person’s understanding of a subject or of difficult facts
Ex: Since my grasp of calculus is rudimentary, I cannot solve the problem
