Words of the Day (Final) Flashcards
somnolent
sleepy or sleep-inducing
edify
to educate or enlighten, to improve the knowledge or morals of someone
obsequious
excessively eager to please or obey all instructions
sycophant
fawning flatterer, someone who obsequiously flatters a powerful person for personal gain
portent
indicate or signify the arrival or something, usu in the context of an omen or something unpleasant
bloviator
someone who speaks excessively, pompously, and usu loudly
- also someone who forcefully expresses opinions on topics for which they are uninformed pretend to be an expert
inimical
unfavourable for something
- showing hostility toward something
vapid
unstimulating and unchallenging
- lacking strength, taste, or flavour
plutocracy
a society ruled by the rich and wealthy
nepotism
favouritism shown by a person in power to their relatives and friends
nadir
lowest point possible
dilettante
someone who dabbles in knowledge: someone who is interested in an art or a specialized area of knowledge, but only has a very superficial understanding of it
gobsmacked
shocked, stunned, utterly astonished
resplendent
dazzling and very impressive in appearance
fulgent
having an intense shine or gleam
trite
boring, uninteresting and lacking originality as a result of overuse, ex. a tired a cliche
opprobrium
contempt, disgrace, and disgust directed at someone because of bad behaviour; very harsh criticism directed at someone
obloquy
very strong public criticism or verbal abuse aimed at a person; public contempt, disgrace, and vilification toward someone
risible
ridiculous and ludicrous causing or capable of causing much laughter, laughable
forlorn
miserable and lonely, isolated, desolate and abandoned
dishevel
to mess something up, usu wrt someone’s hair or clothing
ex post facto
applied retroactively: applying to events that have alr occurred
cornucopia
abundance: a large abundance of something
contretemps
a mishap: an unfortunate occurrence or event, which is usu embarrassing or uncomfortable
incorrigible
impossible to change, correct, or reform
blithe
happy, cheerful, carefree
tendentious
trying to influence opinion: written or spoken to deliberately promote a particular cause or point of view
bowdlerize
literature censorship
lewd
indecent: having a very strong interest in sex or sexual excitement
lugubrious
very gloomy: having a very mournful, sad, gloomy, or pessimistic outlook
pollyanna
eternal optimist: someone who is continuously and unrealistically optimistic
denouement
final revelation or endgame: the ending in which everything is made clear, and no questions or surprises remain
antediluvian
very old-fashioned or out of date
anachronism
something out of time: a person, thing, idea, or custom that seems to belong to a different period in history
retinue
followers: a group of advisors, assistants, or attendants that accompany an important person
cogent
logical, rational, and persuasive: convincing because it is appealing to intellect and reason
erstwhile
former: someone who was something in the past
mea culpa
expression of guilt or fault: used to express an admission of your own guilt, e.g., an apology
penult
second last
nascent
just starting to develop: in the early stages of emerging or developing
dearth
lack: a lack, shortage, or scarcity of something
avarice
greed: a very strong & unreasonable desire to obtain money
contrite
very sorry: genuinely and deeply remorseful and sorry about something
concomitant
occurring or happening at the same time: happening or existing with something else
unctuous
excessively ingratiating: attempting to charm or convince somebody in an unpleasantly smooth, smug, or condescending way
assiduous
extremely careful, showing great care or thoroughness
obdurate
- stubborn
- hard-hearted
temerity
boldness: reckless confidence that might be offensive
moribund
dying or nearly dead; or stagnant, having lost vitality and purpose
persona non grata
an unacceptable or unwelcome person
acrimonious
resentful and angry
abstemious
moderate: a person who does not engage in excesses (e.g., alcohol, eating)
equanimous
calmness: balanced, clam temperament even under stressful situations
rapacious
- greedy, especially for money; willing to use unscrupulous means to obtain what is desired
- destructive and vicious: violent and likely to harm or destroy things
evanescent
soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence. fading away or quickly disappearing
entreaty
a humble and earnest request
mountebank
a deceiver or swindler: someone who is deceptive and misleads others
also a fake healer who sells ineffective remedies
odious
hateful or extremely unpleasant: inspiring hatred, contempt, and disgust
jeremiad
a long complaint
supercilious
contemptuously indifferent: full of contempt and arrogance
