Word List 22 Flashcards
rejuvenate
to make young or youthful again; give new vigor to
to restore to an original or new state
e.g. Each candidate claims to have a plan to rejuvenate the sagging.
juxtapose
to place side by side
e.g. a display that juxtaposes modern art with classical art
kaleidoscope
a variegated changing pattern or scene
a succession of changing phases or actions
a diverse collection
e.g. a kaleidoscope of colors
a kaleidoscope of changing fashions
ken
the range of vision
sight, view
the range of perception, understanding, or knowledge
e.g. abstract words that are beyond the ken of young children
kennel
a shelter for a dog or cat; an establishment for the breeding or boarding of dogs or cats
a pack of dogs
kernel
the inner softer part of a seed, fruit stone, or nut
a whole seed of a cereal
a central or essential part; germ
e.g. Like many stereotypes, this one too contains some kernels of truth.
The kernel of your argument seems to be the inevitability of the division of that nation along ethnic lines.
killjoy
one who spoils the pleasure of others
e.g. His perpetual negative attitude made him a real killjoy when others were trying to have fun.
kindle
to start (a fire) burning; light
to stir up; arouse
to bring into being; start
to cause to glow; illuminate
e.g. kindle interest
kinescope
picture tube; also, a motion picture made from an image on a picture tube
knack
a clever trick or stratagem
a special ready capacity that is hard to analyze or teach
e.g. a jazz musician with an incredible knack for improvisation
knave
a tricky deceitful fellow
e.g. He plays the role of the duplicitous knave who tries to foil the play’s hero.
knead
to work and press into a mass with or as if with hands
to manipulate or massage with a kneading motion
e.g. kneading dough
knead sore neck muscles
knotty
marked by or full of knots; especially, so full of difficulties and complications as to be likely to defy solution
e.g. The candidates cautiously gave their views on an array of knotty issues.
know-how
knowledge of how to do something smoothly and efficiently; expertise
kudos
fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement; prestige
praise given for achievement
e.g. The company has earned kudos for responding so quickly to customers’ concerns.
labile
readily or continually undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change or breakdown; unstable
readily open to change
e.g. a labile mineral
labored
produced or performed with labor
lacking ease of expression
e.g. labored breathing
labored speech
lacerate
to tear or rend roughly; wound jaggedly
to cause sharp mental or emotional pain to; distress
lachrymose
given to tears or weeping; tearful
tending to cause tears; mournful
e.g. a drama with a lachrymose hero
The more lachrymose mourners at the funeral required a steady supply of tissues.
lackadaisical
lacking life, spirit, or zest; languid
e.g. His teacher did not approve of his lackadaisical approach to homework
feeling particularly lackadaisical in the summer heat
lackluster
lacking in sheen, brilliance, or vitality; dull, mediocre
refulgence
a radiant or resplendent quality or state; brilliance
e.g. the refulgence of a full moon on a clear autumn night
laconic
using or involving the use of a minimum or words; concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
e.g. The sportscaster’s color commentary tends to be laconic but very much to the point.
voluble
easily rotating or turning; rotating
characterized by ready or rapid speech; glib, fluent
lactic
of or relating to milk
obtained from sour milk or whey
involving the production of lactic acid
lair
the resting or living place of a wild animal; den
a refuge or place for hiding
e.g. She runs the project from her private lair in the suburbs.
laity
the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergy
the mass of people as distinguished from those of a particular profession or those specially skilled
lambaste
to assault violently; beat, whip
to attack verbally; censure
e.g. letters lambasting the new law
baste
to moisten meat at intervals during cooking
to beat severely or soundly; thrash
to scold vigorously; berate
lament
to mourn aloud; wail
to express sorrow, mourning, or regret for often demonstratively; mourn
to regret strongly
e.g. She lamented over the loss of her best friend.
lampoon
satire; especially, a harsh satire usually directed against an individual
to make the subject of a lampoon; ridicule
e.g. He said such ridiculous things that he was often the target of lampoons in the press.
The politician was lampooned in cartoons.
paean
a joyous song or hymn of praise, tribute, thanksgiving, or triumph
a work that praises or honors its subject; encomium, tribute
e.g. His retirement party featured many paeans for his long years of service to the company.
lance
a steel-tipped spear carried by mounted knights or light cavalry
lancet; a spear used for killing whales or fish; lancer
to pierce with or as if with a lance
to open with or as if with a lancet
to throw forward; hurl
e.g. The lance struck squarely on the knight’s shield, knocking him from his horse.
Doctors used to lance infected sores, so that they could drain clean.
lancet
a sharp-pointed and commonly 2-edged surgical instrument used to make small incisions
landfill
a system of trash and garbage disposal in which the waste is buried between layers of earth to build up low-lying land
an area built up by landfill
e.g. using landfill to dispose of trash
landlocked
enclosed or nearly enclosed by land
confined to freshwater by some barrier
living or located away from the ocean
e.g. a landlocked country
landlocked salmon
a landlocked sailor
landslide
the usually rapid downward movement of a mass of rock, earth, or artificial fill on a slope
a great majority of votes for one side; an overwhelming victory
e.g. The presidential election turned out to be one of the biggest landslides in history.
languid
drooping or flagging from or as if from exhaustion; weak
sluggish in character or disposition; listless
lacking force or quickness of movement; slow
e.g. They proceeded at a languid pace.
a hot, languid summer day
vivacious
lively in temper, conduct, or spirit; sprightly
e.g. an outgoing, vivacious girl who became a successful sales rep
a vivacious expression of love
languish
to be or become feeble, weak, or enervated
to suffer neglect
to assume an expression of grief or emotion appealing for sympathy
e.g. Older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave.
The bill languished in the Senate for eight months.
languor
weakness or weariness of body or mind
listless indolence or inertia
e.g. the languor brought on by a hot summer afternoon
lank
not well filled out; slender, thin
insufficient in quantity, degree, or extent
hanging straight and limp without spring or curl
e.g. lank cattle
Right after a shower, her lank hair hung down to her shoulders.
stalwart
marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit
e.g. their strong and stalwart son
the stalwart soldiers in the army of Alexander the Great, who willingly followed him to the ends of the known world
stalwart common sense
lap
responsible custody; control
to fold over or around something; wind, fold
to take in food or drink with the tongue; to take in or absorb eagerly or quickly
e.g. going to drop the whole thing in your lap
The crowd lapped up every word he said.
lapse
a slight error a becoming less; decline interruption, discontinuance a passage of time; also, interval sink, slip to go out of existence; cease; also, to let slip, forfeit to glide along; pass
e.g. a lapse in table manners / a lapse from grace
a minor mental lapse
returned to college after a lapse of several years
lapsed into unconsciousness
After a few polite exchanges, the conversation lapsed.
time lapses
all of those who have lapsed their membership
elapse
pass, go by
e.g. Four years elapsed before he returned.
larder
a place where food is stored; pantry
a supply food
largess
liberal giving to or as if to an inferior; also, something given
generosity
e.g. He relied on the largess of friends after he lost his job.
lark
a songbird that is usually brownish in color; especially, skylark
to engage in harmless fun or mischief (oft. used with about)
a source of or quest for amusement or adventure
e.g. We would rather lark about in the summer than get part-time jobs.
He thought life was a lark.
entered the race on lark
lash
to move violently or suddenly; dash to thrash or beat violently to mark a verbal attack or retort (oft. used with out) drive, whip also to bind with or as if with a line
e.g. Rain lashed at the windowpanes.
lashed them into a fury with his fiery speech
The disobedient sailors were threatened with the lash.
lassitude
a condition of weariness or debility; fatigue
a condition of listlessness; languor
e.g. Our lassitude was such that we couldn’t even be bothered to get more soda from the fridge.
vim
robust energy and enthusiasm
e.g. Some food and a little rest should give me back some of my vim.
lasso
to capture with or as if with a lasso; rope
a rope or long thong of leather with a noose used especially for catching horses and cattle; lariat
e.g. The cowboy lassoed the horse.
The cowpuncher skillfully tossed the lasso around the calf’s neck.
latency
the quality of state of being latent; dormancy
latent period
e.g. The flower bulbs went from latency to full bloom in a matter of days.
latitude
angular distance from some specified circle or plane or reference
scope, range
freedom of action or choice
e.g. latitude and longitude
Students are allowed considerable latitude in choosing courses.
lattice
a framework or structure of crossed wood or metal strips; a network or design resembling a lattice
a regular geometrical arrangement of points or objects over an area or in space; specifically, the arrangement of atoms in a crystal
laud
praise, acclaim
praise, extol
e.g. an actor who in his lifetime received all the laud and honor that the theater world could bestow
The critics have lauded the best-selling author’s newest novel.
lave
wash, bathe; to flow along or against
pour
e.g. The cold water fro the stream gently laved her burned fingers.
lavish
expending or bestowing profusely; prodigal
expended or produced in abundance
marked by profusion or excess
e.g. a lavish display of flowers
This lavish consumption of our natural resources simply cannot continue.
penurious
marked by or suffering from penury; very poor
given to or marked by extreme stinting frugality
e.g. The penurious school system had to lay off several teachers.
The company’s penurious management could not be convinced of the need to earmark more money for research and development.
laxative
having a tendency to loosen or relax
stint
to be sparing or frugal
to restrict with respect to a share or allowance
e.g. not stinting with their praises
She stinted herself of luxuries.
leaven
a substance used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid; a material used to produce gas that lightens dough or batter
something that modifies or lightens
to raise (as bread) with a leaven
to mingle or permeate with some modifying, alleviating, or vivifying element; especially, lighten
e.g. a serious book that includes a few humorous stories as leaven
He needs to leaven his speeches with more humor.
lectern
a stand used to support a book or script in a convenient position for a standing reader or speaker; especially, one from which scripture lessons are read in a church service
ledger
a book containing accounts to which debits and credits are posted from books of original entry
a horizontal board used for vertical support (as in scaffolding)
leer
to cast a sidelong glance; especially, to give a leer
a lascivious, knowing, or wanton look
e.g. She complained that some disgusting man was leering at her.
leery
suspicious, wary (oft. used with of)
e.g. leery of strangers
legerdemain
sleight of hand
a display of skill or adroitness
e.g. The illusionist’s show is an entertaining blend of legerdemain and over-the-top showmanship.
The reduction of the deficit the due in part to financial legerdemain that masks the true costs of running the government.
legerity
alert facile quickness of mind or body
legislate
to perform the function of legislation; especially, to make or enact laws
to mandate, establish, or regulate by or as if by legislation
e.g. the need to better legislate foreign trade
trying to legislate changes in the current law
attempting to legislate morality
legitimize
to make legitimate; legitimate
dispatch
to send off or away with promptness or speed; especially, to send off on official business
to kill with quick efficiency
to dispose of (as a task) rapidly or efficiently
defeat
e.g. Rescue workers were immediately dispatched to the area.
He dispatched the guard with one bullet.
lenitive
alleviating pain or harshness; soothing
lethargy
abnormal drowsiness
the quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent
e.g. I snapped out of my lethargy and began cleaning the house.
levee
a reception held by a person of distinction or in honor of a particular person
an embankment for preventing flood
a continuous dike or ridge for confining the irrigation areas of land to be flood
levelheaded
having or showing sound judgement; sensible
e.g. a levelheaded assessment of the problem
levity
excessive or unseemly frivolity
lack of steadiness; changeableness
e.g. They managed to find some levity in the situation.
The teachers disapprove of any displays of levity during school assemblies.
levy
the imposition or collection of an assessment
the enlistment or conscription of men for military service
to impose or collect by legal authority
to enlist or conscript for military service
to carry on (war); wage
e.g. The legislators approved a new levy on imported cattle to help protect American ranchers.
levy a tax on imports / levy a fine on the company
liaison
a close bond or connection; interrelationship
an illicit sexual relationship; affair
communication for establishing and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation
e.g. She acts as a liaison between the police department and city schools.
Administrators need to establish a close liaison with employees.
liana
any of various usually woody vines especially of tropical rain forests that root in the ground
libel
to write and publish a false statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of (someone)
also
e.g. The court decided that the newspaper’s reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him.
The newspaper was found guilty of libel.
liberality
the quality or state of not being opposed to ideas or ways of behaving that are not traditional or widely accepted
the quality of being generous
e.g. They were shocked by the liberality of her views on sex.
He treated his friends with remarkable liberality.
libertine
(oft. disparaging) a freethinker especially in religious matters
a person who is unrestrained by convention or morality. specifically, one leading a dissolute life
e.g. libertines of the royal court
The legend of Don Juan depicts him as a playboy and libertine.
libretto
the text of a work (as an opera) for the musical theater
the book containing a libretto
license
permission to act; freedom of action
freedom that allows or is used with irresponsibility
disregard for standards of personal conduct; licentiousness
e.g. His job as a reporter gives him license to go anywhere and ask anything.
licentious
lacking legal or moral restraints; especially, disregarding sexual restraints
marked by disregard for strict rules of correctness
e.g. a moralist who decried what she regarded as the licentious and corrupt culture of the entertainment industry
lien
a legal claim that someone or something has on the property of another person until a debt has been paid back
the security interest created by a mortgage
ligneous
of or resembling wood
lignify
to convert into wood or woody tissue
to become wood or woody
liken
compare
e.g. He generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture.
limn
to draw or paint on a surface
to outline in a clear sharp detail; delineate
describe
e.g. The novel limns the frontier life of the settlers.
limber
capable of being shaped; flexible
having a supple and resilient quality (as of mind or body); agile, nimble
e.g. He shaped the basket out of limber branches that could bend easily around a frame.
limerick
a humorous rhyming poem of five lines
limp
to walk lamely; to go unsteadily; falter
to proceed slowly or with difficulty
lacking firm texture, substance, or structure
weary, exhausted
lacking in strength, vigor, or firmness; spiritless
e.g. The injured player limped off the court.
The damaged ship limped back to port.
a very limp handshake
limp with fatigue
limpid
marked by transparency; pellucid
clear and simple in style
absolutely serene and untroubled
e.g. the limpid waters of the stream
limpid prose
lionize
to treat as an object of great interest or importance
e.g. She was lionized everywhere after her novel won the Pulitzer Prize.
liquid
shining and clear
smooth
consisting of or capable of ready conversion into cash
e.g. large liquid eyes
liquid assets
liquidate
to determine the precise amount of; also, to determine the liabilities and apportion assets toward discharging the indebtedness to settle (a debt) by payment or other settlement to convert (assets) into cash
e.g. The owners were ordered to liquidate the company and pay their creditors.
lissome
easily flexed; lithe
able to move quickly, easily, and lightly; nimble
e.g. The lissome actress’s dance training is apparent in the way she moves on stage.
Rattan is such a lissome material that it can be used for all manner of furniture and baskets.
list
a deviation from the vertical; tilt to tilt to one side (archaic) wish, choose (archaic) inclination, craving (archaic) please, suit
listless
characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit
e.g. a listless melancholy attitude
The heat made everyone tired and listless.
literate
educated, cultured
able to read and write
lucid, polished
e.g. computer-literate / politically literate
a literate essay
literati
the educated class; also, intelligentsia
persons interested in literature or the arts
e.g. Bostons’s 19th-century literati often referred to their city as “the Athens of America”.
lithe
easily bend or flexed
characterized by easy flexibility and grace
e.g. lithe steel / a lithe vine
a lithe dancer
treading with a lithe silent step
blithe
of a happy lighthearted character or disposition
lacking due thought or consideration; casual, heedless
e.g. blithe unconcern
He was blithe about the risks to his health.
litigant
one engaged in a lawsuit
litigate
to carry on a legal contest by judicial process
to contest at law
e.g. They agree to litigate all disputes in this court.
The company’s unwillingness to make a deal increased her desire to litigate.
litigious
disputatious, contentious
subject to litigation; of, relating to, or marked by litigation
e.g. a very litigious group of people
this litigious age in which we live
litter
the offspring at one birth of a multiparous animal
e.g. a litter of puppies
loaf
to spend time in idleness
e.g. the kind of sultry August afternoon that makes you just want to loaf
locale
a place or locality especially when viewed in relation to a particular event or characteristic
site, scene
e.g. They chose a tropical island as the locale foe their wedding.
collocate
to set or arrange in a place or position; especially, to set side by side
to occur in conjunction with something
locomotion
an act or the power of moving from place to place
travel
e.g. Walking is one form of locomotion.
interest in free locomotion and choice of occupation
locomotive
capable of moving independently from place to place; locomotory
of or relating to travel
of, relating to, or being a machine that moves about by operation of its own mechanism
a self-propelled vehicle that runs on rails and is used for moving railroad cars
e.g. the locomotive ability of spiders
locus
the place where something is situated or occurs; site, location
a center of activity, attention, or concentration
e.g. In democracy the locus of power is in the people.
lode
an ore deposit
something that resembles a lode; an abundant store
e.g. a rich lode of scandal and alleged crime
loll
to hang loosely or laxly; droop
to act or move in a lax, lazy, or indolent manner; lounge
e.g. a dog with its tongue lolling out
long-winded
tediously long in speaking or writing
not easily subject to loss of breath
loom
a frame or machine for interlacing at right angles two or more sets of threads or yarns to form a cloth
to come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct form often as a result of atmospheric conditions
to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form
to take shape as an impending occurrence
e.g. Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
The mountains loom above the valley.
loon
an awkward brutish person; lout, idler
a crazy person
simpleton
loophole
a small opening through which small arms may be fired; a similar opening to admit light and air or to permit observation
a means of escape; especially, an ambiguity or omission in the text through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation may be evaded
e.g. His attorney has been hunting for a loophole that would allow him to get out of the deal.
lope
an easy usually bounding gait capable of being sustained for a long time
to move or ride at a lope
e.g. The horses loped easily across the fields.
lopsided
leaning to one side
lacking in balance, symmetry, or proportion; disproportionately heavy on one side
e.g. a lopsided vote of 99 to 1
loquacious
full of excessive talk; wordy
given to fluent or excessive talk; garrulous
e.g. a loquacious and glib politician
lot
an object used as a counter in determining a question by chance; the use of lots as a means of deciding something
something that comes to one upon whom a lot has fallen; share; one’s way of life or worldly fate; fortune
allot, apportion
to form or divide into lots
e.g. Everyone is lotted opportunities in life, and it’s their responsibility to take them.
lounge
to act or move idly or lazily; loaf to pass (time) idly
e.g. He was lounging by the pool all afternoon.
loutish
resembling or befitting a lout; awkwardly brutish
e.g. the loutish bully who didn’t have a whole lot of friends
low
moo
the deep sustained sound characteristic especially of a cow
