Words You Should Know in High School 2 Flashcards
ravenous (a)
/RA-vuh-nuss/
Extremely hungry or greedy for something; predatory. Intensely eager to be satisfied, to gratify desires.
Ravenous as they were, the team could hardly wait though the introductory banquet speeches before starting their meal.
ravishing (a)
/RA-vih-shing/
Extremely beautiful, delightful, and pleasing to the eye.
As you would expect, the bride was ravishing as she walked down the chapel aisle.
recalcitrant (a)
/rih-KAL-sih-trunt/
Stubbornly resistant to the control or authority of others. Difficult to deal with, work with, supervise.
The high school principal’s office was like a second home for some recalcitrant students.
recapitulate (v)
/re-kuh-PIH-choo-late/
To summarize in concise form; to briefly retell the essential points of a story.
Great public speakers are known for their abilities to recapitulate and gesticulate.
reciprocate (v)
/re-SIH-pro-kate/
To give or act in turn following the lead of another. To give or do in return for something else.
It was difficult to determine how best to reciprocate for all of the concern, caring, and help received after the twins were born.
reclamation (n)
/reh-cluh-MAY-shun/
The conversion of unusable land into land suitable for farming or other uses.
The reclamation of the inner city was deemed miraculous by those who lived there.
reclusive (a)
/rih-0KLOO-siv/
Withdrawn from the rest of the world; solitary and hermitlike. Shut off from the influences of the world or others.
After her husband died, Mrs. Hailton lived a reclusive life, rarely coming out of her house or speaking to anyone.
recompense (v)
/REH-kum-pents/
To pay someone for work or services. To give compensation for suffering, loss or injury.
To recompense Mrs. Williams for all her suffering would be impossible.
reconnoiter (v)
/reh-kuh-NOY-ter/
To explore an area in order to gather information, especially about the position and strength of the enemy. To engage in reconnaissance.
The overly zealous coach, who was prone to military metaphors, said he would be “reconnoiter” rather than scout the opposing team.
recoup (v)
/ree-COOP/
To regain something lost; to make up for something lost. To make up for something that has been lost.
Habitual gamblers think they will recoup their losses if they just continue their risky behaviors.
rectify (v)
/REK-tuh-fie/
To make sosmething right; to correct an error. Technically, to purify a substance through distillation.
As people get older, they are often inspired to rectify past mistakes, particularly those associated with family and friends.
recuse (v)
/ree-KYOOZ/
To disqualify someone from judging or participating in something because of bias or personal interest. To withdraw oneself from judging or participating in something for personal reasons.
Seeking a balanced jury, the defense attorney recused many potential jurors until he approved of them all.
refuge (n)
/REF-yooj/
A shelter or protected place that is safe from harm or threat. Protection or safe shelter from something or someone.
Many Cubans seek refuge in America and risk their lives to do so.
regress (v)
/ree-GRES/
To return or revert to an earlier, less advanced, and generally worse state. To Move backwards.
After she worked hard to raise her grades, a sudden illness caused Mary to regress in her study habits.
regurgitate (v)
/ree-GUR-jih-tate/
To bring undigested or partially digested food from stomach to mouth. To repeat or reproduce what has been heard, read, or taught in a purely mechanical way without evidence of thought or understanding.
For some courses, all that is necessary to receive good grades is to memorize and then regurgitate facts, figures, or definitions.
reiterate (v)
/ree-IH-tuh-rate/
To say or do something repeatedly, often in a boring way.
The candidate reiterated her views at each campaign stop and in every interview.
relinquish (v)
/ri-LIN-kwish/
To give up or surrender. To give something up or put it aside, emotionally or physically.
When he took ill, Tim’s father relinquished many of the more physical household chores.
remedial (a)
/ruh-MEE-dyuhl/
Acting as a remedy or solution to a problem. Designed to help those with learning difficulties, or to improve skills or knowledge.
While some students are too embarrassed to track them down, remedial services available for those in need are often powerful and effective.
reminisce (v)
/REH-muh-NISS/
To talk, write, or think about events remembered from the past.
It seems odd to parents to hear teens reminiscing about their elementary school years.
remittance (n)
/ree-MIH-tunce/
The sending of money to pay for a service or merchandise.
Credit cards seem to some as magic money, until you have to send a remittance to their issuer every month.
remunerate (v)
/rih-MYOO-nuh-rate/
To pay money for goods or services, or compensate someone for losses or inconvenience.
After the accident, the insurance company remunerated her for damages within twentry-four hours, so Martha got her car fixed.
renaissance (n)
/REH-nuh-sans/
A rebirth or revival, as of something forgotten or that was one less known or popular.
The university’s renaissance pleased its alumni, who were happy to see it return to its former educational excellence.
renege (v)
/rih-NIHG/
To go back on or break a promise, commitment, or agreement.
Some adolescents feel that parents often renege on promises of rewards for specific behavior, so family trust is tested.
renunciation (n)
/re-nun-see-AY -shun/
A denial or rejection of something, often for moral or religious reasons.
Tim’s renunciation of alcohol and drugs had such great consequences that he made others wish to follow his example.
repartee (n)
/reh-pur-TEE/
Conversation consisting of witty remarks, or a witty remark or reply. Also, skill in making witty conversation.
It was amusing to watch the girls practice their repartee, hoping not to be embarrassed on their first dates.
replete (a)
/rih-PLEET/
Amply and completely supplied with something. Having eaten enough.
reprobate (n)
/REH-pruh-bate/
Disreputable, unprincipled, or immoral person. Someone whose soul is said to be damned.
Being called a reprobate was shocking to Blake, who thought his behavior normal for a teenager.
rescind (v)
/ri-SIND/
To remove or overrule the authority of something. To reverse a decision or act, making it null and void.
resilient (a)
/rih-ZUL-yunt/
Able to recover quickly from setbacks. Able to spring back into shape after being stretched, deformed, or bent.
Jane proved most resilient, as she was able to play in the season’s final lacrosse game a few days after her knee injury.
resolute (a)
/reh-zuh-LOOT/
Possessing determination; motivated by or displaying determination and purposefulness.
Americans seemed even more resolute to fight terrorism after the horrendous events of September 11, 2001.
resonate (v)
/REH-zuh-nate/
To echo; to make something else vibrate or produce a similar sound. To produce a sympathetic response.
The crying of any infant resonates with those who are parents, as they are sensitive to these sounds and the feelings they inspire.
respite (n)
/REH-spit/
Brief period of rest and recovery between periods of exertion or after something disagreeable; a temporary delay or stay of execution.
The coach felt the girls had earned a respite from wind sprints because they were working so hard during practice.
restitution (n)
/res-ti-TOO-shun/
The return of something to its rightful owner. Compensation for a loss, damage, or injury.
A bill authorizing restitution to the citizens interned in the camps recently cleared Congress.
restive (a)
/RES-tive/
Stubborn and unwilling to accept rules or control; impatient with delay. Having little patience; unwilling to tolerate annoyances.
The restive players gathered around the coach, eager to get the game underway.
reticent (a)
/REH-tuh-sunt/
Unwilling to communicate very much, talk a great deal, or reveal all facts.
On the first day of high school even the most outgoing students seem a bit reticent.
retroactive (a)
/reh-troh-AK-tiv/
Reaching back into the past; effective as of an earlier date, especially in therms of contracts or agreement. Relating to or applying to things that have happened in the past as well as the present.
The reimbursement eligibility for those who paid the higher parking fee was made retroactive as of September 1.
retrospective (n)
/reh-truh-SPEK-tuv/
Something based on memory of past events, containing examples of work from many periods of an artist’s life, or applying to things past as well as present.
revile (v)
/rih-VILe/
To make a fierce or abusive verbal attack; to curse or abuse in harsh language. To use insulting or abusive language; to denounce using harsh language.
rhetorical (a)
/ruh-TOH-rik-kul/
Asked with no expectation of response; often describes sarcastic questions, or those the questioner knows cannot be answered. Persuasive and skilful, as in argumentation.
The dean’s rhetorical skills were much needed as he explained the new alcohol policy to the entire student body.
ribald (a)
/RIH-buld/
Humorous in a rude and vulgar way. Amusingly coarse, lewd, and off-color; often used to describe a joke about sex.
The football team became infamous for ribald behavior, and on occasion they were disciplined for it.
roguish (a)
/ROH-gish/
Mischievous, often in an unscrupulous or dishonest way. Like a rogue; known to have low morals and bad habits.
Roguish behavior is not to be appreciated or imitated, no matter the reputation of the rogue.
sagacious (a)
/suh-GAY-shuss/
Possessing excellent judgement and powers of discernment; that is, able to make wise decisions.
Professor Blake’s sagacious reputation made him one of the university’s most popular lectures and advisers.
salacious (a)
/suh-LAY-shuss/
Lewd, off-color; intended to titillate or arouse sexually with explicit erotic content. Exhibiting explicit or crude sexual desire or describing deliberately provocative pictures or writing.
salience (n)
/SAY-lee-uns/
The quality of being important or striking. A particularly important or striking feature or relevant point of discussion.
Teachers grade students essay on the salience of their thesis statements, supporting paragraphs, and conclusions.
saline (a)
/SAY-leen/
Salty; describes a solution of salt and distilled water, especially one having the same concentration of body fluids.
Judy was so dehydrated that the doctor had to give her an intravenous saline solution.
salutary (a)
/SAL-yoo-tare-ee/
Promoting good health. Of value or benefits to someone; conductive to good health.
The salutary effects of visiting a spa seem more psychological than physical.
sanctum (n)
/SANK-tuhm/
A scared place inside a church, mosque, or temple. A quiet and private place free of interference or interruption.
Many teens feel as if their rooms are sanctums, and they forbid anyone to enter without permission.
sanguine (a)
/SAN-gwinn/
Cheerfully optimistic; displaying a positive attitude. Also describes something blood-red in color, or flushed with a healthy rosy color.
After the accident, Ken remained sanguine, speeding his recovery and inspiring the nurses and doctors who treated him.
sardonic (a)
/sar-DON-ik/
Disdainful; ironic in a mocking way. Extremely sarcastic and scornful.
The more angry he became at his sister, the more sardonic Michael’s comments sounded.
satchel (n)
/SA-chul/
A small bag, often with a shoulder strap, used for carrying books and personal belongings.
When the laptop computer became popular, everyone seemed to purchase and carry satchels.
saturnine (a)
/SAT-ur-neen/
Gloomy, moody, and morose.
Oddly, after the death of his father, Harry became hopeful and optimistic rather than saturnine.
savant (n)
/SUH-vont/
A wise or scholarly person, especially one with great knowledge in a very specialized field or area.
In an irony of nature, some autistic persons who cannot communicate normally posses intellectual powers that can only be described as those of a savant.
savory (a)
/SAY-voh-ree/
Salty or sharp tasting, rather than sweet. Having an appetizing taste or smell.
Mother’s cooking was so savory that it could be smelled as we walked up the path to the front door.
scapegoat (n)
/SKAPE-goat/
Someone who is made to take the blame for others. Someone who is unjustly blamed for causing upset or distress.
Students become livid when they think they are being made the scapegoat for the acition of others.
scathing (a)
/SKAY-thing/
Severly critical and scornful, often referring to speech or writing about someone’s conudct or performance.
The scathing review of the movie had no impact on its popularity or profitability.
schism (n)
/SKIH-zum/
Division of a group into mutually antagonistic and disagreeing factions. One faction formed after a disagreement.
Presidential elections recently have created schisms and anger among voters, rather than unified and motivated groups.
schmaltz (n)
/SHMALTS/
Exaggerated, histrionic speech or behavior meant to generate sympathy.
Planners often tyr to minimize the schmaltz when organizing fundraising event for fighting serious diseases.
schmooze (v)
/SHMOOZ/
To chat socially and agreeably. To talk persuasively to somebody, often to gain personal advantage.
Steve has been schmoozing his parents nonstop, a sure sign he wants something big.
scintilla (n)
/sin-TIH-luh/
A tiny amount of something. Also a spark, as in a small flicker of emotion.
The castways preserved a scintilla of hope, along with a scintilla of potable water.
scintillate (v)
/SIN-tul-ate/
To give off or reflect light as sparks or sudden flashes. To dazzle in a lively clever, or witty way.
News about the new film has been hard to come by, but a few scintillating details have leaked out.
scofflaw (n)
/SKAWF-lauw/
Someone who ignores, or scoff at, the law.
Eventually the scofflaw will pay for his actions, if not for his parking tickets.
scrimshaw (n)
/SKRIM-shauw/
The teeth or bones of whales and walruses, engraved with detailed drawings, usually sea related.
Collectors of scrimshaw understand how this part contributed to endangering whale population, but they continue to cherish their prize possessions.
script (n)
/SKRIP/
Paper currency or coupons issued for emergency use. A list, receipt, or short piece of writing. A doctor’s prescription.
During World War II, script was use to purchase gas and other commodities that were being rationed.
semantics (n)
/suh-MAN-tiks/
The study of how language conveys meaning. An excessive focus on the way something is phrased, rather than what it says.
The coach’s urging to “play aggressive” rather than “hurt the opponents” was a matter of semantics, and its interpretation depended upon which team you wanted to win.
semblance (n)
/SEM-blunts/
Outward appearance or show, usually not true. A representation, copy, or likeness.
When the principal entered the classroom being taught by a substitute, there appeared to be no semblance of order.
seminal (a)
/SEM-ih-nul/
Highly original and influential, as in ideas that inspire later developments. Relating to, containing, or carrying semen or seeds.
For many , the Ten Commandments are the seminal expression of laws, value, and societal norms.
sentient (a)
/SEN-shunt/
Capable of feeling and perceptions; the quality of being concious or aware. Capable of emotional response and of receiving impression from the senses.
Any sentient being should be able to notice the dreariness that comes with a cloud day.
sequester (v)
/si-KWES-ter/
To isolate, cut off from everyday life and outside influences. To take legal possession of someone’s property until a debt is paid or dispute resolved.
When the judge adjourned court for the day, he also sequestered the jury for the remainder of the trial.
serendipitous (a)
/sare-un-DIH-pih-tuss/
Accidental in a happy and fortuitous way. Often describes useful discoveries made by accident, or important insights encountered as fortunate coincidences.
It was serendipitous that Phil won new golf club a week before the club championship.
serene (a)
/suh-REEN/
Clear and calm, without worry, disturbance, or stress. Bright without clouds.
Visiting the lake house always made her feel serene, so she went there before her wedding.
servitude (n)
/SIR-vuh-tood/
State of slavery, of being ruled or dominated. Work imposed as punishment.
Being force to paint the house in order to ear his allowance felt like servitude to Burt.
sesquicentennial (n)
/sess-kwa-sen-TEN-yuhl/
A 150th anniversary, celebration of a 150th anniversary, or a 150-year period.
Historians reveal that the U.S. sesquicentennial celebration in 1926 was much more reserved than the bicentennial of 1976.
severance (n)
/SEV-runts/
The act of cutting one thing of or free from another. In business, compensation to an employee who is fired or laid off.
Unsure of whether they would receive any severance, in the end they were happy to get three months’ pay after the lay-off.
skulduggery (n)
/skul-DUG-guh-ee/
Practices carried out in a secretive way in order to trick people.
The skulduggery of the Watergate burglars has become infamous, for it forced a President to resign.
sobriquet (n)
/soh-brih-KAY/
An unofficial name or nickname, especially a humorous one. Something almost every high school student has, although some just do not know what other call them behind their back.
How embarrassing that she would call him “Pookie,” a private sobriquet, in fron of others.
socialism (n)
/SOH-shuh-lih-zum/
A political theory that gives workers fair and equitable control over the goods and products they produce, as opposed to the free market principles and competition of capitalism.
Historically, socialism has proven to work in theory only, with little success in real-world application.
Socratic method (n)
/suh-CRA-tik METH-uhd/
A process of teaching and learning, in which the teacher asks questions that force the students to think and arrive at their own logical conclusions.
Many of the best law professors use the Socratic method to teach students.
solace (v)
/SOL-uss/
The family solaced each other with the knowledge she had fought her cancer bravely.
To comfort someone at a time of sadness, disappointment, or grief; to sympathize with and console.
soliloquy (n)
/suh-LIL-uh-kwee/
The act of talking to yourself, from the Latin for “speak alone.” In theatre, a monologue that lets a character express inner emotions that would be difficult to communicate in dialogue.
The soliloquy is a dramatic device made famous by Shakespeare.
somnambulate (v)
/som-NAH-byoo-late/
To walk in your sleep
Kenny shocked his teammates when he somnambulist on their first road trip.
