Word List 3 Flashcards
anthology
a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music
assortment
anthology
a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music
assortment
anthesis
the action or period of opening of a flower
antic
characterized by clownish extravagance or absurdity; very playful, funny, or silly
e.g. antic shenanigans that made me nearly fall over with laughter
an antic group of kids at summer camp
attic
a room or space immediately below the roof of a building
antihistamine
a drug used to treat allergic reactions and colds
antipathy
settled aversion or dislike
e.g. The author’s antipathies and prejudices are obvious.
antique
existing since or belonging to earlier times; ancient
a relic or object of ancient times (or earlier periods)
antithesis
the exact opposite of something or someone
the state of two things that are directly opposite to each other
e.g. True love for another is the antithesis of the desire to control that person’s life.
anvil
a heavy usually steel-faced iron block on which metal is shaped (as by hand hammering)
antithetical
- antithesis
e. g. spiritual concerns and ideals that are antithetical to the materialism embraced by modern society
apex
the uppermost point; vertex
the narrowed or pointed end; tip
the highest or culminating point
e.g. She reached the apex of fame, only to find it wasn’t what she expected.
aphorism
a concise statement of a principle
a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment; adage
e.g. When decorating, remember the familiar aphorism, “less is more.”
aplomb
complete and confident composure or self-assurance; poise
e.g. He showed great aplomb in dealing with the reporters.
apocrypha
writings or statements of dubious authenticity
apogee
the point in the orbit of an object (as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is at the greatest distance from the center of the earth
apogee
apologetic
offered in defense or vindication
offered by way of excuse or apology
regretfully acknowledging fault or failure; contrite
e.g. the apologetic writings of the early Christians
We received an apologetic letter and a full refund from the company.
antic
characterized by clownish extravagance or absurdity; very playful, funny, or silly
e.g. antic shenanigans that made me nearly fall over with laughter
an antic group of kids at summer camp
attic
a room or space immediately below the roof of a building
antihistamine
a drug used to treat allergic reactions and colds
antipathy
settled aversion or dislike
e.g. The author’s antipathies and prejudices are obvious.
antique
existing since or belonging to earlier times; ancient
a relic or object of ancient times (or earlier periods)
antithesis
the exact opposite of something or someone
the state of two things that are directly opposite to each other
e.g. True love for another is the antithesis of the desire to control that person’s life.
anvil
a heavy usually steel-faced iron block on which metal is shaped (as by hand hammering)
apparition
an unusual or unexpected sight; phenomenon
a ghostly figure
the act of becoming visible
e.g. the surprising apparition of cowboys in NYC
An eccentric claimed to have photographed an apparition in her very own house.
apex
the uppermost point; vertex
the narrowed or pointed end; tip
the highest or culminating point
e.g. She reached the apex of fame, only to find it wasn’t what she expected.
aphorism
a concise statement of a principle
a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment; adage
e.g. When decorating, remember the familiar aphorism, “less is more.”
aplomb
complete and confident composure or self-assurance; poise
e.g. He showed great aplomb in dealing with the reporters.
apocrypha
writings or statements of dubious authenticity
appoint
to fix or set officially
to name officially
e.g. appoint a trial date
After his parents died, the boy’s uncle was appointed as his guardian.
apogee
perigee
the point in the orbit of an object (as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth
apologetic
offered in defense or vindication
offered by way of excuse or apology
regretfully acknowledging fault or failure; contrite
e.g. the apologetic writings of the early Christians
We received an apologetic letter and a full refund from the company.
apoplectic
of, relating to, or causing stroke
greatly excited or angered
e.g. an apoplectic rage
She was positively apoplectic with anger when she realized she had been cheated.
The coach was apoplectic when the player missed the free throw.
prehensile
adapted for seizing or grasping, especially by wrapping around
gifted with mental grasp or moral or aesthetic perception
e.g. The monkey has a prehensile tail.
apostasy
renunciation of a religious faith
abandonment of a previous loyalty; defection
e.g. His family tries every means to bring him back and to punish his apostasy.
apostate
one who commits apostasy
e.g. An apostate from communism, he later became one of its harshest critics.
apothecary
one who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes
appall
to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay
e.g. It appalls me to think of the way those children have been treated.
nerve
to give strength or courage to; supply with physical or moral force
e.g. He needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow.
apparition
an unusual or unexpected sight; phenomenon
a ghostly figure
the act of becoming visible
appease
to bring to a state of peace or quiet; calm
to cause to subside; allay
pacify, conciliate, especially to buy off (an aggressor) by concessions usually at the sacrifice of principles
e.g. They appeased the dictator by accepting his demands in an effort to avoid war.
His critics were not appeased by this last speech.
appellation
an identifying name or title
e.g. a twisting road that deserved the appellation “Sidewinder Lane”
aptitude
inclination, tendency
natural ability, capacity for learning
general suitability
plaudit
an act or round of applause
(oft. pl.) enthusiastic approval
e.g. The proud parents bragged that their daughter had received many plaudits for her academic achievements.
appoint
to fix or set officially
to name officially
e.g. appoint a trial date
After his parents died, the boy’s uncle was appointed as his guardian.
apposite
highly pertinent or appropriate; apt
e.g. He enriched his essay on patriotism with some very apposite quotations from famous people on the subject.
appraise
to set a value on
to evaluate the worth, significance, or status of
e.g. The ring must be appraised by a jeweler before it can be insured.
appraise an actor’s career
appreciable
capable of being perceived or measured
e.g. no appreciable difference
arbitrate
to act as arbiter upon
to settle by arbitration
e.g. The council will arbitrate among the interest groups.
to arbitrate a dispute
prehensile
adapted for seizing or grasping, especially by wrapping around
gifted with mental grasp or moral or aesthetic perception
e.g. The monkey has a prehensile tail.
apprehensive
capable of understanding or quick to do so; discerning
viewing the future with anxiety or alarm
e.g. apprehensive for the safety of the mountain climbers
apprise
to give notice to; tell
e.g. Let me apprise you of the current situation.
approbation
praise, approval
e.g. The company has even received the approbation of its former critics.
opprobrium
something that brings disgrace
public disgrace or ill fame that follows from conduct considered grossly wrong or vicious; contempt, reproach
e.g. They’re going ahead with the plan despite public opprobrium.
appropriation
an act or instance of appropriating
e.g. The economy has been weakened by the appropriation of the country’s resources by corrupt officials.
ardent
characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager, zealous support or activity; passionate, intensely enthusiastic or devoted
fiery, hot
shining, glowing
e.g. an ardent science-fiction fan who has read virtually all of his favorite author’s many works
an ardent sun/ ardent eyes
apropos
with reference to; concerning
being both relevant and opportune
e.g. He was asked a question apropos his resignation.
She remarked apropos of the initiative, “It’s not going to stop the abuse.””
The ceremony concluded with the reading of an apropos poem.
apt
unusually fitted or qualified; ready
having a tendency; ordinarily disposed; likely, inclined
keenly intelligent and responsive
e.g. an apt tool in the hands of the conspirators
That dog is apt to run off if you don’t put him on a leash.
an apt pupil
aptitude
inclination, tendency
natural ability, capacity for learning
general suitability
aquifer
a layer of rock or sand that can absorb and hold water
aqueduct
a conduit for water, especially one for carrying a large quantity of flowing water
arabesque
an ornament or style that employs flower, foliage, or fruit and sometimes animal and figural outlines to produce an intricate pattern of interlaced lines
an elaborate or intricate patterns
arresting
catching the attention; striking, impressive
e.g. At seven feet tall, he’s an arresting figure in any crowd.
arbitrary
depending on individual discretion and not fixed by law
not restrained or limited in the exercise of power; ruling by absolute authority
e.g. An arbitrary number has been assigned to each district.
an arbitrary government
Although arbitrary arrests are illegal, they continue to occur in many parts of the country.
arbitrate
to act as arbiter upon
to settle by arbitration
e.g. The council will arbitrate among the interest groups.
to arbitrate a dispute
arboreal
or, relating to, or resembling a tree
inhabiting or frequenting trees
e.g. arboreal monkeys
arboretum
a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes
arcane
known or knowable only to the initiate; secret
mysterious, obscure
e.g. a theory filled with arcane details
arcane rites
ascendancy
governing or controlling influence; domination
e.g. a book chronicling the ascendancy of fascism in Europe after WWI
archipelago
an expanse of water with many scattered islands
a group of islands
something resembling an archipelago
e.g. an archipelago of small parks within the city
arctic
bitter cold; frigid
cold in temper or mood
(oft. cap.) of or relating to north pole
e.g. the arctic air of deep winter
an arctic smile
ardent
characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager, zealous support or activity; passionate, intensely enthusiastic or devoted
fiery, hot
shining, glowing
e.g. an ardent science-fiction fan who has read virtually all of his favorite author’s many works
an ardent sun/ ardent eyes
argot
an often more or less secret vocabulary and idiom peculiar to a particular group
e.g. groups communicating in their own secret argots
aria
air, melody, tune, especially an accompanied elaborate melody sung (as in an opera) by a single voice
a striking solo performance (as in a movie)
aspect
a position facing a particular direction
appearance to the eye or mind; a particular appearance of the face; mien
a particular status or phase in which something appears or may be regarded
e.g. The house has a southern aspect.
He has the aspect of a man used to giving orders and seeing them obeyed.
He studied every aspect of the question.
armada
a fleet of warships
a large force or group usually of moving things
e.g. an armada of ships sailing up the coast
armistice
temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement between the opponents; truce
e.g. Both sides in the conflict agreed to an armistice during the solemn holy days.
array
to dress or decorate especially in splendid or impressive attire; adorn
to set or place in order; draw up, marshal
to arrange or display in or as if in an array
e.g. She arrayed herself in rich velvets and satins.
The forces arrayed against us.
The data are arrayed in descending order.
arresting
catching the attention; striking, impressive
e.g. At seven feet tall, he’s an arresting figure in any crowd.
tout
to spy on; watch
to solicit, peddle, or persuade importunately
to make much of; promote, talk up
e.g. People were touting tickets outside the stadium.
The company is running advertisements touting the drug’s effectiveness.
arrogate
to claim or seize without justification; assume
to claim on behalf of another; ascribe
e.g. They’ve arrogated to themselves the power to change the rules arbitrarily.
assail
to attack violently with blows or words
e.g. The movie was assailed by critics.
artifice
clever or artful skill; ingenuity
an artful stratagem; trick
e.g. He spoke without artifice or pretense.
He believed that characters had to be created from within rather than with artifice.
artless
lacking art, knowledge, or skill; uncultured
made without skill; crude
free from artificiality; natural, sincerely simple
e.g. Her simple artless charm won us over instantly.
an artless brute
ascendancy
governing or controlling influence; domination
e.g. a book chronicling the ascendancy of fascism in Europe after WWI
ascetic
practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline
austere in appearance, manner, or attitude
e.g. an ascetic diet of rice and beans
He may not be gregarious but he wields a bony and ascetic charm which he combines with practical intelligence.
sybarite
(from the notorious luxury of the Sybarites) voluptuary, sensualist
e.g. The prince was remembered as a self-indulgent sybarite, not as a statesman or warrior.
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose
not connected with the main subject; also fitful, random
disappointing in progress, performance, or quality
e.g. a dragged-out ordeal of desultory shopping
a desultory fifth place finish
Evening closed with a deal of desultory gunfire, which continued spasmodically all night.
ascribe
to refer to a supposed cause, source, or author
e.g. They ascribed their stunning military victory to good intelligence beforehand.
conscribe
limit, circumscribe
conscript; to enroll into service by compulsion, draft
e.g. Young men worried about whether they would be conscribed to fight in this latest conflict.
aspect
a position facing a particular direction
appear
aspen
a kind of tree whose leaves move easily when the wind blows
asperity
rigor, severity
roughness (of manner or of temper); harshness
e.g. He doesn’t like the asperity of most experimental music.
She responded with such asperity that we knew she was deeply offended by the question.
exasperate
to excite the anger of; enrage
e.g. The criticism of his latest movie is sure to exasperate his admirers.
astound
to fill with bewilderment or wonder
e.g. The magician will astound you with his latest tricks.
tout
to spy on; watch
to solicit, peddle, or persuade importunately
to make much of; promote, talk up
e.g. People were touting tickets outside the stadium.
The company is running advertisements touting the drug’s effectiveness.
asphyxiate
to cause (someone) to stop breathing and often become unconscious and die
e.g. The murder victim was asphyxiated.
assail
to attack violently with blows or words
e.g. The movie was assailed by critics.
assent
to agree to something especially after thoughtful consideration; concur
e.g. The general proposed a detailed plan and the President assented.
assertive
disposed to or characterized by bold or confident statements and behavior
having a strong or distinctive flavor or aroma
e.g. an assertive leader
assertive wines
assiduous
marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application
e.g. There were assiduous in their research for all the latest facts and figures.
insidious
awaiting a chance to entrap; treacherous
harmful but enticing; seductive
having a gradual and cumulative effect (usually harmful)
e.g. the insidious pressures of modern life
Most people with this insidious disease have no idea that they are infected.
asylum
an inviolable place of refuge and protection; sanctuary, shelter, refuge
protection from arrest and extradition
an institution for the care of destitute or sick and especially the insane
e.g. She was granted asylum after it was made clear that she would be killed if she returned to her native country.
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose
not connected with the main subject; also fitful, random
disappointing in progress, performance, or quality
e.g. a dragged-out ordeal of desultory shopping
a desultory fifth place finish
Evening closed with a deal of desultory gunfire, which continued spasmodically all night.
assort
to distribute into groups of a like kind; classify
to agree in kind; harmonize
e.g. assort these butterfly specimens according to geographic origin
Somewhat surprisingly, the collection of ancient Egyptian art assorts rather well with the museum’s modern design.
assuage
to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses); ease
to put an end to by satisfying; appease, quench
e.g. He couldn’t assuage his guilt over the divorce.
to assuage his thirst
suave
smoothly though often superficially gracious and sophisticated
e.g. The suave gentleman was a great favorite of the elegant ladies who attended parties at the embassy.
harrow
torment, vex
assumption
a taking to or upon oneself
an assuming that something is true; a fact or statement taken for granted
e.g. the assumption of a new position/power
asteroid
any of the small rocky celestial bodies found especially between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter
astound
astray
off the right path or route
in error; away from what is proper or desirable
e.g. They were lead astray by their lust for money.
astringent
causing contractions of soft organic tissues; styptic, puckery
suggestive of an astringent effect upon tissue; rigidly severe; austere; pungent, caustic
e.g. an astringent critic of modern movies
stringent
tight, constricted
marked by rigor, strictness, or severity especially with regard to rule or standard
marked by money scarcity and credit strictness
e.g. stringent rules against unauthorized persons being in the building
a stringent budget
astrolabe
a compact instrument used to observe and calculate the position of celestial bodies before the invention of the sextant
astrology
the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects
astute
having or showing shrewdness and perspicacity
e.g. He is an astute observer of the current political scene.
asunder
into parts
apart from each other in position
e.g. torn asunder
wide asunder
asylum
an inviolable place of refuge and protection; sanctuary, shelter, refuge
protection from arrest and extradition
an institution for the care of destitute or sick and especially the insane
e.g. She was granted asylum after it was made clear that she would be killed if she returned to her native country.
atonal
marked by avoidance of traditional musical tonality, especially organized without reference to key or tonal center and using the tones of the chromatic scale impartially
atrocious
extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel; barbaric
appalling, horrifying; utterly revolting, abominable
of very poor quality
e.g. an atrocious crime that shocked even hardened members of the police force
atrocious handwriting
atrophy
decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue
a wasting away or progressive decline
e.g. The doctor is concerned about possible atrophy of the shoulder muscles.
He argued that there was a progressive atrophy of freedom and independence of thought.
attache
a technical expert on a country’s diplomatic staff at a foreign capital
e.g a military attache
