Word List 1 Flashcards
aberration
(ab er RAY tion)
Noun
A deviation from what is normal, customary, or right
Examples:
-This two-headed frog resulted from a rare genetic aberration.
-The child is normally very polite; his behavior today was an aberration.
accentuate
(ac SEN tu ate)
Verb
To emphasize or highlight; to make more noticeable
Examples:
-The makeup artist is skillful at accentuating the models’ best features.
-The boy’s awkward attempt at fitting in only accentuated his poor social skills.
banal
(ba NAL or ba NAHL)
Adj
Lacking originality; commonplace and often predictable
Examples:
-He made a banal remark about the weather.
-This article wasn’t up to your usual standard. It’s an interesting topic, but the writing was banal.
berate
(buh RATE)
Verb
To scold someone harshly and at length (for a considerable time)
Examples:
-The manager berated me for spilling soda on a customer’s shirt.
-She berated her son for having been rude to his grandmother.
cacophony
(ca CAW fuh nee)
Noun
A harsh, discordant sound
Examples:
-As we walked into the animal shelter, we were overwhelmed by the cacophony of dozens of dogs, several cats, and one very vocal parrot.
-Is there anything worse than the cacophony of seven-year-olds learning to play violins?
disgruntled
(dis GRUN tled)
Adj
Angry or dissatisfied
Examples:
-As it turned out, the person hacking into the company’s computer system was a disgruntled employee.
-The disgruntled customer went home and wrote a letter of complaint to the restaurant’s manager.
edict
(E dict)
Noun
An official command or proclamation from someone in authority; a decree
Examples:
-The dictator issued an edict requiring citizens to turn over any gold or silver in their homes.
-The king’s servant posted the edict in the town square for all to see.
fabricate
(FAB ri cate)
Verb
To invent falsely, typically with deceitful intent; to make or build
Examples:
-The laboratory discovered that the applicant’s résumé was entirely fabricated; the “neurobiologist” had never even completed college, much less achieved a PhD.
-The weapon was fabricated from materials that are only available to government scientists.
heinous
(HAY nuss)
Adj
Utterly wicked; abominable
Examples:
-He was sentenced to death for the heinous crime.
-Some sins are more heinous than others.
incessant
(in SESS ent)
Adj
Continuing without pause; ceaseless; unending
Examples:
-I thought she would never stop her incessant chatter.
-The incessant buzz of the insects kept me awake.
lethargic
(leh THAR jik)
Adj
-You should also know the word lethargy (noun), pronounced LETH er jee.
Lacking energy and enthusiasm; sluggish
Examples:
-I spent the day laying on the couch feeling lethargic.
-The economy had been in a lethargic state for several years, but it was starting to recover.
modicum
(MOD i come)
Noun
A small amount of something (usually something desirable or valuable)
Examples:
-After three years of training and diligence, the actor achieved a modicum of success.
-The project requires only a modicum of skill.
-Anyone with a modicum of common sense would know better than that!
negligent
(NEG li jent)
Adj
Failing to take proper care in doing something; lazily careless
Examples:
-The sick young child was malnourished and wore dirty clothing; it was no surprise that her parents were found to be negligent.
-By witnessing the crime and failing to alert the nearby police officer, John displayed serious negligence.
oration
(or AY tion)
Noun
A formal speech, esp. one delivered at a special occasion
Examples:
-Lincoln gave a now-famous oration in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
-The governor is well known for his eloquent orations.
pariah
(puh RYE uh)
Noun
An outcast; a person who is generally despised or avoided
Examples:
-After everyone in school found out Jenny was the one stealing the money, she was treated as a social pariah.
-The other workers have treated me as a pariah simply for doing the right thing. Someone had to report the kitchen workers for spitting in the food!
