Word List 37 Flashcards
transmute
to change or later in form, appearance, or nature and especially to a higher form
e.g. The stories of their lives were transmuted into works of fiction.
transport
to carry away with strong and often intensely pleasant emotion
strong or intensely pleasurable emotion
e.g. transports of joy
transpose
to change in form or nature; transform
to transfer from one place or period to another; shift
to change the relative place or normal order of; alter the sequence of
e.g. transpose letters to change the spelling
travesty
a burlesque translation or literary or artistic imitation usually grotesquely incongruous in style, treatment, or subject matter
a debased, distorted, or grossly inferior imitation
e.g. a travesty of justice
treatise
a book, article, etc., that discusses a subject carefully and thoroughly
e.g. a treatise on higher education
trenchant
keen, sharp
vigorously effective and articulate; also, caustic
sharply perceptive; penetrating
clear-cut, distinct
e.g. a trenchant wit/analysis
trenchant remarks
a trenchant view of current conditions
a trenchant divisions between right and wrong
trepidation
a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation; apprehension
e.g. Shaking with trepidation, I stepped into the old abandoned house.
tribunal
a court or forum of justice
something that decides or determines
e.g. An international tribunal was formed to deal with war crimes.
the tribunal of public opinion
trifle
something of little value, substance, or importance
to talk in a jesting or mocking manner or with intent to delude or mislead
to treat someone or something as unimportant
e.g. argue over such mere trifles
spend a lazy afternoon trifling on the front porch
trite
hackneyed or boring from much use; not fresh or original
e.g. a trite argument
troupe
company, troop; especially, a group of theatrical performers
truant
one who shirks duty; especially, one who stays out of school without permission
truculent
feeling or displaying ferocity; cruel, savage
deadly, destructive
scathingly harsh; vitriolic
aggressively self-assertive; belligerent
e.g. truculent remarks/criticism/fans
trudge
to walk or march steadily and usually laboriously
e.g. trudge through the snow
truss
to tie up (someone) with their arms at their sides
to dress (someone) in elaborate or uncomfortable clothing
to support, strengthen, or stiffen by or as if by a truss
a strong frame of beams, bars, or rods that support a roof or bridge
a special belt that is worn by someone who has a hernia
e.g. He was trussed up in a heavily padded suit, complete with face mask and protective gloves.
tuber
a short, thick, round stem that is a part of certain plants (such as the potato), that grows underground, and that can produce a new plant
tumult
disorderly agitation or milling about of a crowd usually with uproar and confusion of voices; commotion
violent agitation of mind or feelings
e.g. a country in tumult
in a tumult of emotions
turgid
being in a state of distension; swollen, tumid; especially, exhibiting turgor
excessively embellished in style or language; bombastic, pompous
e.g. turgid leeches having had their fill of blood
turgid prose
turmoil
a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion
e.g. a period of political turmoil
in a constant turmoil
turncoat
one who switches to an opposing side or party; specifically, traitor
e.g. The plot of the story revolved around the gangster’s relentless determination to learn the identity of the turncoat.
turpitude
inherent baseness; depravity
e.g. Pictorial advertisements for chic clothing and fragrances often employ drug addiction and other forms of moral turpitude.
probity
adherence to the highest principles and ideals; uprightness
e.g. A person of indisputable probity must head the disciplinary panel.
turquoise
a bluish-green stone used in jewelry
a bluish-green color
tusk
an elongated greatly enlarged tooth (as of an elephant or walrus)
tussle
a physical contest or struggle; scuffle
an intense argument, controversy, or struggle
also
e.g. a tussle for control of the company
twinge
to feel a sudden sharp local pain
to sudden sharp stab of pain
a moral or emotional pang
e.g. an occasional twinge in my leg
a twinge of conscience/guilt
tyro
a beginner in learning; novice