Word List 26 Flashcards
oscillate
to vary between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories
osmosis
a process of absorption or diffusion suggestive of the flow of osmotic motion; especially, a usually effortless often unconscious assimilation
e.g. She seems to learn languages by osmosis.
osseous
consisting of bone, resembling bone; bony
ossify
to change into bone
to become hardened or conventional and opposed to change
e.g. a young man who began to ossify right after college
ostensible
intended for display; open to view
being such in appearance; plausible rather than demonstrably true or real
e.g. the ostensible purpose for the trip
The ostensible reason for the meeting turned out to be a trick to get him to the surprise party.
ostentation
excessive display; pretentiousness
e.g. He write simply and clearly and without ostentation.
ostracize
to exile by ostracism
to exclude from a group by common consent
e.g. The other girls ostracized her because of the way she dressed.
ostrich
one who attempts to avoid danger of difficulty by refusing to face it
other-directed
directed in thought and action primarily by external norms rather by one’s own scales of values
oust
to remove from or dispossess of; to take away; bar, remove
to take the place of; supplant
e.g. The rebels ousted the dictator from power.
Large national banks are ousting local banks in many communities.
outgrowth
a process or product of growing out
consequence, by-product
e.g. an outgrowth of hair
A predictable outgrowth of the suburb’s ever growing population will be the need for more schools.
outmaneuver
to overcome an opponent by artful, clever maneuvering
outmoded
not being in style
no longer acceptable, current, or usable
e.g. outmoded computers that can be recycled
outmoded customs
outset
beginning, start
e.g. There have been problems with the project from the outset.
outshine
to shine brighter than; to excel in splendor or showiness
outdo, surpass
e.g. The trumpeter outshines all of his fellow band members.
outstrip
to go faster or farther than
to get ahead of
e.g. The new hotel outstrips all other hotels in the area in size and luxury.
The fullback outstripped the defenders and scored a touchdown.
ovation
an expression or demonstration of popular acclaim especially by enthusiastic applause
e.g. a warm ovation
received a standing ovation for masterly performance
overbearing
tending to overwhelm; overpowering
decisively important; dominant
harshly and haughtily arrogant
overhaul
to examine thoroughly
repair; to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly
to haul or drag over
overtake
e.g. They had to overhaul the original plans.
Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
overreach
to reach above or beyond; overtop
to defeat (oneself) by seeking to do or gain too much
to get the better of especially in dealing and bargaining and typically by unscrupulous or crafty methods
e.g. The company overreached itself and ran out of money after one year.
override
to ride over or across; trample
to prevail over; dominate
to set aside; annul
e.g. Congress overrode the President’s veto.
Don’t let anger override common sense.
overriding
chief, principal
e.g. an overriding concern
The weather is the overriding factor in deciding whether to cancel the picnic.
overshadow
to cast a shadow over
to exceed in importance; outweigh
e.g. The pitcher’s outstanding performance should not overshadow the achievements of the rest of the team.
overstate
to state in too strong terms; exaggerate
e.g. overstated his qualifications
overt
open to view; manifest
e.g. overt hostility
overthrow
overturn, upset
to cause the downfall of; bring down, defeat
overture
an initiative toward agreement or action; proposal
something introductory; prelude
the orchestral introduction to a musical dramatic work
e.g. The government has made a significant peace overture by opening the door to negotiation.
The parade down Main Street served as the overture for a weekend of fun and festivities.
overturn
to cause to turn over; upset
invalidate, destroy
reverse
e.g. The dog overturned the bowl.
The truck went off the road and overturned several times.
The court overturns his conviction.
overwrought
extremely excited; agitated
elaborated to excess; overdone
e.g. become overwrought on hearing the bad news
written in a florid, overwrought style
rankle
to cause anger, irritation, or deep bitterness
to feel anger or irritation
e.g. The joke about her family rankled her.
padding
soft material used to cover a hard surface in order to make it more comfortable
unnecessary words used to make a speech or writing longer
e.g. These shoes have extra padding in the heel.
If you remove the padding from his speech, you can see that he offers no new ideas.
paean
a joyous song or hymn of praise, tribute, thanksgiving, or triumph
a work that praises or honors its subject; encomium, tribute
pagan
an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible; heathen
one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods; an irreligious or hedonistic person
e.g. The Spanish conquistadors regarded the native people of the lands that they conquered as pagans who were uncivilized and inherently inferior.
pageant
a mere show; pretense
an ostentatious display
show, exhibition
e.g. annual Christmas pageant
painstaking
taking pains; expending, showing, or involving diligent care and effort
e.g. The book describes the election process in painstaking detail.
palate
the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity
a usually intellectual taste or liking
the sense of taste
e.g. Korean food adapted for the American palate
She’s been working hard on a menu that will please the palates of all her guests.
palatable
agreeable to the palate or taste
agreeable or acceptable to the mind
e.g. a less than palatable beer
I did not find the idea of moving again very palatable.
palatial
of, relating to, or being a palace
suitable to a palace; magnificent
palette
a thin board or tablet that a painter holds and mixes pigments on
the set of colors used on palette
a comparable range, quality, or use of available elements
e.g. a rich palette of tones and timbres
a palette of flavors
pall
to lose strength or effectiveness
to lose in interest or attraction
dwindle
something (such as a cloud of smoke) that covers a place and makes it dark; a feeling of gloom
a square of linen that is used for covering a coffin
e.g. His humor began to pall on us.
Our enthusiasm soon palled.
a pall of thick black smoke
A persistent pall of distrust has overtaken this administration and will remain until the president resigns.
The absence cast a pall over the celebration.
