Word List 46 Flashcards
Tacit (adj)
understood; not put into words
We have a tacit agreement based on only a handshake
Taciturn (adj)
habitually silent; talking little
The stereotypical boy is a taciturn soul, answering lengthy questions with a Yep or Nope
Tactile (adj)
pertaining to the organs or sense of touch
His callous hands had lost their tactile sensitivity
Tantalise (v)
tease; torture or excite someone’s senses
Tantamount (adj)
equivalent in effect or value
Because of the Southern Blacks could afford to pay the poll tax, the imposition of this tax on prospective voters was tantamount to disenfranchisement for black voters
Tarry (v)
delay; dawdle
We can’t tarry if we want to get to the airport on time
Tautological (adj)
needlessly repetitious
In the sentence “It was visible to the eye,” the phrase “to the eye” is tautological
Tawdry (adj)
cheap and gaudy
He won a few tawdry trinkets at Coney Island
Tedium (n)
boredom; weariness
We hope this new game will help you overcome the tedium of your stay in the hospital
Temerity (n)
boldness; rashness
Do you have the temerity to argue with me?
Temporize (v)
act evasively to gain time; avoid committing one self
The sheriff temporised, hoping to put off any confrontation with the outlaw band
Tendentious (adj)
having an aim; biased; designed to further a cause
This intensive and tendentious coverage makes it clear that some news channels are pursuing agendas of their own
Tenet (n)
doctrine; dogma
Tenuous (adj)
thin; rare; slim
The allegiance of our allies is held by such tenuous ties that we have little hope they will remain loyal
Tepid (adj)
lukewarm
To avoid scalding the baby, make sure the bath water is tepid, not hot
Terse (adj)
concise; abrupt; pithy
There is a fine line between speech that is terse and to the point and speech that is too abrupt
Thespian (adj)
pertaining to drama
Her success in the school play convinced her she was destined for a thespian career
Threadbare (adj)
worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor
The poorly paid adjunct professor hid the threadbare spots on his jacket by sewing leather patches on the sleeves
Throes (n)
violent anguish
The throes of despair can be as devastating as the spasms accompanying the physical pain
Tightwad (n)
excessively frugal person; miser
Jill called Jack a tightwad because he never picked up the check
Timorous (adj)
fearful; demonstrating fear
Shy when encountering strangers, she was too timorous to meet anyone’s gaze
Tirade (n)
extended scolding; denunciation; harangue
Every time the boss holds a meeting, he goes into a lengthy tirade, scolding us for everything
Titular (adj)
having the title of an office without the obligations
Although he was the titular head of the company, the real decisions were made by his general manager
