Word List 20 Flashcards
Fester (v)
rankle; produce irritation or resentment
Fiat (n)
command; authorisation
It was put into effect by presidential fiat
Filibuster (v)
block legislation by making long speeches
Even though we disapproved of Senator Foghorn’s political goals, we were impressed by his ability to filibuster endlessly to keep an issue from coming to a vote
Finicky (adj)
too particular; fussy
The little girl was finicky when it comes to her food, leaving anything that wasn’t to her taste
Firebrand (n)
hothead; troublemaker
The police tried to keep away all the firebrands when the president came to town
Fitful (adj)
spasmodic; intermittent
On the airplane, Sharon managed to doze off, but it was a fitful, restless sleep
Flaccid (adj)
flabby
His sedentary life had left him flaccid muscles
Flagrant (adj)
conspicuously wicked; blatant; outrageous
The governor’s appointment of second in command was a flagrant violation of the state laws against nepotism
Flippant (adj)
lacking proper seriousness
Florid (adj)
ruddy; reddish; flowery
If you go to Florida and get a sunburn, your complexion will look florid
Flounder (v)
struggle and thrash about
Flout (v)
reject; mock; show contempt for
The painter Schnabel is known for works that flout the conventional and contemporary art
Foible (n)
minor eccentricity; slight weakness or flaw
Eating oysters for desserts is just one of David’s little foibles
Foist (v)
insert improperly; palm off
Susan had no desire to have her late aunt’s ancient Boston terrier foisted on her, but someone had to look after the poor beast
Foment (v)
stir up; instigate
Heather spread some nasty rumours that fomented trouble in the club
Foolhardy (adj)
rash
Don’t be foolhardy. Get the advice of experienced people before undertaking this venture
Foray (n)
raid
The company staged a midnight foray against the enemy’s outpost
Forbearance (n)
patience
Be patient with John. Treat him with forbearance, he is still weak from his illness
Forebears (n)
ancestors
Foreboding (n)
premonition of evil
Suspecting no conspiracies against him, Caesar gently ridiculed his wife’s forebodings about the Ides of March
Forestall (v)
prevent by taking action in advance
By setting up a prenuptial agreement, the prospective bride and groom hoped to forestall any potential arguments about money in the event of a divorce
Forlorn (adj)
sad and lonely; wretched
Deserted by her big sisters and her friends, the forlorn child sat sadly on the steps awaiting their return
Forswear (v)
renounce; abandon
The captured knight could escape death only if he agreed to forswear Christianity and embrace Islam as the one true faith
Forthright (adj)
straightforward; direct; frank
Fortitude (n)
bravery; courage
Fortuitous (adj)
accidental; by chance
Though he pretended their encounter was fortuitous, he’d actually been hanging around her usual haunts for the past two weeks, hoping she’d turn up
