Word List 19 Flashcards
Expostulation (n)
protest; remonstrance Despite the teacher's scolding and expostulations, the class remained unruly
Expropriate (v)
take possession of
Expunge (v)
cancel; remove
To bowdlerise a text is to censor it expunging objectionable material and replacing it with less offensive matter
Expurgate (v)
clean; remove offensive parts of a book
The editor felt that certain passages in the book had to be expurgated before it could be used in the classroom
Extant (adj)
still in existence
Although the book is out of print, some copies are still extant
Extemporaneous (adj)
not planned; impromptu
Because her extemporaneous remarks were misinterpreted, she decided to write all her speeches in advance
Extenuating (adj)
representing (a crime or effuse) as less serious that it seems; mitigating
Unless extraordinarily strong extenuating circumstances exist, someone convicted of murder can expect to be condemned to serve a lengthy sentence
Extirpate (v)
root up
The Salem witch trials were a misguided attempt to extirpate superstition and heresy
Extol (v)
praise; glorify
Extraneous (adj)
not essential; superfluous
No wonder Ted can’t think straight! His mind is so cluttered up with extraneous trivia, he can’t concentrate on the essentials
Extricate (v)
free; disentangle
Icebreakers were needed to extricate the trapped whales from the icy floes that closed them in
Exuberance (n)
overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance
Exult (v)
rejoice
We exulted when our team won the victory
Facet (n)
aspect; feature; side
Facetious (adj)
joking (often inappropriately); humorous
I’m serious about this project; I don’t need any facetious, smart-alecky cracks about do-good little rich girls
Facile (adj)
easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial
Words came easily to Jonathan; he was a facile speaker and prided himself on being ready to make a speech at a moment’s notice
Factious (adj)
inclined to form factions; causing dissension
Factitious (adj)
artificial; sham
Fastidious (adj)
difficult to please; squeamish
Bobby was such fastidious easter that he would eat a sandwich only if his mother finish off every scrap of crust
Fatalism (n)
belief that events are determined by forces beyond control
With fatalism, he accepted the hardships that beseeched him
Fatuos (adj)
brainless; inane; foolish, yet smug
Fawning (adj)
trying to please by behaving obsequiously or cringing
Feckless (adj)
feeble and ineffective; careless
