Words Flashcards
Proffer
to offer something by holding it out, or to offer advice or an opinion; to offer.
“he proffered his resignation”
.Archimidean
relating to or invented by the mathematician Archimedes.
Abate
(of something perceived as hostile, threatening, or negative) become less intense or widespread.
“the storm suddenly abated”
Opiate
dull the senses of (someone) with or as if with opium. “he grew old and soft, opiating himself into a dreaming bliss”
Dissident
a person who opposes official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state.
“a dissident who had been jailed by a military regime”
Tocquevillian
Of or pertaining to Alexis de Tocqueville, or characteristic of his democratic ideals.
Languid
displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.
“they turned with languid movements from back to front so as to tan evenly”
Conveyance
the action or process of transporting someone or something from one place to another.
“he was building vessels for the conveyance of live cod”
the action of making an idea, feeling, or impression known or understandable to someone.
“art’s conveyance of meaning is complicated”
Enervation
a feeling of being drained of energy or vitality; fatigue.
“a sense of enervation”
Tonic
giving a feeling of vigor or well-being; invigorating.
“a tonic body shampoo”
Atrophy
gradually decline in effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect.
“her artistic skills atrophied from lack of use”
Intrepid
fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).
“our intrepid reporter”
Hot Rod
modify (a vehicle or other device) to make it faster or more powerful.
Objet d’art
a small decorative or artistic object, typically when regarded as a collectible item.
“there are quirky drawings and treasured objets d’art created by friends and colleagues”
Illicit
forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
“illicit drugs”
Minutiae
the small, precise, or trivial details of something.
“the minutiae of everyday life”
Vicarious
experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person.
“I could glean vicarious pleasure from the struggles of my imaginary film friends”
Perverse
(of a person or their actions) showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable, often in spite of the consequences.
“Kate’s perverse decision not to cooperate”
Taut
stretched or pulled tight; not slack.
“the fabric stays taut without adhesive”
(especially of muscles or nerves) tense; not relaxed.
“my voice was taut with anger”
(of writing, music, etc.) concise and controlled.
“a taut text of only a hundred and twenty pages”
Cannibalize
use (a machine) as a source of spare parts for another, similar machine.
“cannibalizing two broken-down cars might provide spare parts to make one working car”
Coalesce
come together to form one mass or whole.
“the puddles had coalesced into shallow streams”
Assail
make a concerted or violent attack on.
“the Scots army assailed Edward’s army from the rear”
criticize (someone) strongly.
“he assailed a group of editors for their alleged excesses”
Supple
not stiff or hard; easily manipulated.
“this body oil leaves your skin feeling deliciously supple”
Alacrity
brisk and cheerful readiness.
“she accepted the invitation with alacrity”
Luxe
expensive and of high quality; luxurious.
“the luxe 65-room Four Seasons hotel”
Matron
a woman in charge of domestic and medical arrangements at a boarding school or other establishment.
“she initiated training for matrons of residential homes”
a married woman, especially a dignified and sober middle-aged one.
“respectable suburban matrons”
Ornery
bad-tempered and combative; stubborn.
“some hogs are just mean and ornery”
Coeval
having the same age or date of origin; contemporary.
“these lavas were coeval with the volcanic activity”
a person of roughly the same age as oneself; a contemporary.
“like so many of his coevals, he yearned for stability”
Imperious
assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering.
“his imperious demands”
Precept
a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.
“the legal precept of being innocent until proven guilty”
Bespoke
made for a particular customer or user.
“a bespoke suit”
Countervail
offset the effect of (something) by countering it with something of equal force.
“stereotypes are countervailed by more realistic assessments”
Apt
appropriate or suitable in the circumstances.
“an apt description of her nature”
having a tendency to do something.
“she was apt to confuse the past with the present”
quick to learn.
“he proved an apt scholar”
Abut
(of an area of land or a building) be next to or have a common boundary with.
“gardens abutting Prescott Street”
touch or lean on.
“masonry may crumble where a roof abuts it”
Paleo
Old
Neo
New
Lithic
Stone
Stratum
Layer
Strata
Layers
