|
Home > Preview
The flashcards below were created by user
elitesat
on FreezingBlue Flashcards.
-
ineffable
incapable of being expressed
-
-
forage
to search for food or provisions
-
-
sect
a small group, esp. religious, united by a specific set of beliefs
-
vernacular
informal speech; native language
-
sanguine
optimistic, cheerful
-
kindle
to build a fire; to set on fire or ignite; to arouse
-
ruminate
to ponder at length
-
culpable
deserving blame or punishment
-
-
idiosyncrasy
a particular, peculiar, or eccentric trait
-
dissemble
to deceive or conceal; to hide one's motives; to simulate
-
lugubrious
sad or mournful, esp. in a way that seems exaggerated or ridiculous
-
internecine
pertaining to conflict whitin a group; mutually destructive
-
-
abolish
to put to an end to
-
acquiesce
to agree without protest
-
rural
relating to the country or farming
-
chimerical
created by or as if by a fanciful imagination
-
odyssey
a long, adventurous journey
-
rail
to speak bitterly or reproachfully
-
gratuitous
unnecessary or inappropriate
-
inherent
included as an essential part; intrinsic
-
saga
a long prose narrative, often telling of adventure or heroism; a long detailed report
-
primeval
relating to the beginning of the first world ages
-
mammoth
very large; of clumsy or unwieldly size
-
marquee
a sign over the entrance to a public building
-
intimate
to make known subtly; to hint
-
revert
to return to a former condition
-
ulterior
lying beyond what is evident, revealed, or claimed
-
sedentary
sitting down most of the time
-
quell
to ease; to calm down
-
forensic
related to the law or debate
-
clique
exclusive group of people
-
clandestine
done in secret, esp. to conceal something improper
-
surmount
to overcome (e.g, an obstacle); to climb to the top of
-
pilfer
to steal a small amount
-
sweltering
oppressively hot and humid
-
subterfuge
a sneaky or devious method for avoiding difficulty or unpleasantness
-
-
endorse
to give approval or support
-
niche
a place or situation suited for a person or thing; a recess in a wall
-
ellipsis
in a sentence, the omission of a word replaced bu three periods
-
apt
appropriate; having a natural tendency
-
ersatz
artificial; not genuine; fake
-
-
instigate
to stir up or arouse; to foment
-
predominant
surpassing all others; most common
-
valedictory
a farewell speech
-
blunder
to move carelessly
-
foolhardy
reckless; bold without judgment
-
-
haphazard
occurring or happening by mere chance
-
toxic
poisonous; dangerous
-
bow
forward part of a ship; prow
-
conspire
to plan secretly together
-
erode
to wear away slowly
-
persist
to continue despite difficulty
-
-
diction
word choice in speech or writing; degree of clarity in speaking
-
mentor
a counselor or teacher
-
-
segue
an easy, effective or uninterrupted transition
-
brazen
showing shameless, insolent boldness; made of brass
-
jingoism
an extreme patriotism
-
extradite
to deliver someone (e.g., a fugitive) to the authority of another government or jurisdiction
-
-
abridge
to reduce (a text etc.) in scope
-
jaundice
prejudice; bias; a yellowish discoloration of the skin
-
eloquent
articulate; convincing and effective in speech
-
clairvoyant
having the supposed power to see objects or events that cannot be perceived by the senses
-
derive
to obtain from a specified source
-
onerous
burdensome, hard to bear
-
dovetail
to combine or interlock into unified whole
-
carcass
the dead body of an animal, esp. one slaughtered for food (also used figuratively)
-
earshot
the distance within which a sound can be heard
-
feisty
irritable; quarrelsome; full of spirit
-
retort
to reply, esp. in a quick or witty manner
-
consort
to associate; to keep company
-
parrot
to blindly repeat or copy
-
extraneous
not an essential part of; unimportant
-
interdict
to forbid or stop the activities or entry of
-
belie
to picture falsely; to contradict
-
-
vigorous
energetic; forceful; strong and healthy
-
-
synthesis
the combination of separate parts into a unified whole
-
-
-
maxim
a short saying expressing a general principle
-
regimen
a set of rules, usually followed for therapeutic effect
-
saturnine
of a gloomy temperament
-
stigma
a sign of disgrace; a mark that lowers a reputation
-
histrionic
overly dramatic, theatrical
-
innovative
marked by a new or unusual way of doing things
-
bilious
bad-tempered; cross
-
choleric
easily angered; bad tempered
-
rebuff
to refuse someone; to reject an offer
-
warp
to distort, as a twist or bend
-
abdicate
to willingly give up the position of king
-
nimble
fast and light in motion
-
aftermath
a result of consequence
-
indict
to formally accuse of criminal activity
-
amuck
frenzied, esp. violently
-
subsidy
monetary assistance
-
-
ingenious
inventive, cunning, clever
-
explicit
fully revealed or made clear
-
juggernaut
a terrible, irresistable force
-
jurisdiction
the extent of authority or control; the right and power to interpret and apply the law
-
woebegone
affected with great sadness, esp. as reflected in one's appearance
-
valiant
courageous, brave, as in battle
-
polemic
a controversial argument, esp. attacking a particular opinion
-
-
saturate
to soak or fill to capacity
-
edict
an authority order issued publicly; a decree
-
hiatus
an interruption in activity or progress
-
constitute
to make up the parts of; to compose
-
estuary
the part of river that meets a sea
-
mettle
courage; strength of character
-
phlegmatic
having a calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional
-
ad hoc
for a specific purpose and no other; improvised
-
extemporaneous
done with little or no preparation
-
trek
to travel or migrate, esp slowlt or with great difficulty
-
ensue
to happen subsequently
-
palette
a board which an artist can hold while painting and on which colors can be mixed
-
-
bazaar
a market consisting of a street lined with shops
-
diurnal
daily; occurring during the daytime
-
ardent
passionate or enthusiastic
-
postscript
additional information added to the end of a letter or other document
-
pallet
a narrow, hard or straw-filled mattress; an often wooden platform used for moving and storing freight
-
-
currency
general acceptance or use; the state of being up-to-date
-
eon
a long period of time
-
effrontery
bold and insulting behavior
-
dictum
an authoritative, often formal, pronouncement
-
cordial
warm and friendly; polite and respectful
-
impalpable
that which cannot be felt by touching; not easily understood
-
ovation
enthusiastic and lengthy applause
-
pittance
a small amount, esp. of money
-
confide
to tell something in secret
-
dual
composed of two parts
-
-
manuscript
a book or other document written by hand; an author's original copy of a document submitted for publication
-
knell
to ring in a slow, solemn way
-
de facto
actual or effective, esp. when without legal authority; in fact
-
scour
to wash by scrubbing vigorously
-
-
dauntless
incapable of being intimidated
-
nondescript
lacking distinction or individual character
-
cardinal
of main importance; principal
-
paraphrase
to restate in different words; to summarize
-
debonair
easy and carefree in manner
-
circumscribe
to define the limits of
-
cascade
a waterfall or series of small waterfalls; a succession of stages, processes, or units
-
etymology
the study of origins of words
-
etiquette
the forms of behavior of polite society
-
dissident
disagreeing or dissenting, especially politically
-
cerebral
pertaining to the brain; intellectual
-
chronology
arrangement of events in time
-
scribe
a professional copyist of manuscripts and documents, esp. in ancient times
-
dilate
to make wider; to expand
-
demagogue
a leader who obtains power by appealing to the emotions and prejudices of the people
-
remunerate
to pay or compensate
-
sentinel
one who keeps watch
-
-
-
engender
to beget; to cause; to promote
-
genocide
killing of a whole national or ethnic group
-
bristle
to react in an angry or offended manner
-
quid pro quo
an equal exchange or substitution
-
segregate
to separate into groups or parts
-
bolster
to support or strengthen
-
abstract
without reference to specific instance or concrete existence; theoretical
-
mosaic
an image created by the assembly of many small colored pieces, e.g., tiles
-
-
toddle
to walk with short, unsteady steps, like a child
-
pulverize
to crush; to grind into powder or dust
-
crony
A long time friend or close companion
-
incongruous
lacking agreement; incompatible
-
complaisant
showing a desire to please; cheerfully obliging
-
cumbersome
clumsy or difficult to manage
-
-
-
spontaneous
occurring naturally or without forethought
-
-
aberration
a departure from what is right, true, or expected
-
momentous
of extreme importance
-
conscript
to draft compulsorily, esp. into military service
-
evoke
to call forth or call to mind
-
fastidious
showing or acting with careful attention to detail; not easy to please; very critical or discriminating
-
unequivocal
very clear; definite
-
temporize
to act evasively in order to gain time
-
figurehead
a person with apparent but no real authority
-
accommodate
to oblige; to provide a service or favor; to fit
-
temporal
relating to time
-
aboveboard
without dishonesty or concealment
-
ad infinitum
lasting forever; continuously
-
-
piquant
agreeably pungent or sharp in taste; tart ; agreeably stimulated or interesting
-
endow
to provide with material goods, talents, or qualities
-
xenophobia
fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners
-
fathom
to understand or comprehend;to determine the depth of
-
couch
to phrase in a particular way
-
banal
dull or stale; commonplace
-
superlative
excellent; of the highest quality
-
skirmish
a minor conflict
-
lassitude
a feeling of weakness
-
deranged
mentally disturbed
-
draconian
extremely harsh and severe
-
svelte
slender and graceful in outline
-
resilient
able to recover quickly
-
crux
an essential or pivotal point; a perplexing difficulty
-
dapper
neatly dressed; trim; stylish
-
apprehension
worry or unease
-
tender
- to offer formally
- a legal offer; something, esp. money, offered in payment
-
-
vantage
a position that gives a wide view
-
waggish
mischievous; playful
-
reminisce
to recall the past, esp. fondly
-
recluse
one who hides from the world
-
knoll
a small rounded hill
-
-
quip
a remark or reply that is witty or sarcastic
-
unkempt
sloppy;messy;unclean
-
cadaver
a dead body, esp. a human body to be dissected
-
shade
a small variation, a nuance, a small amout
-
warren
an enclosed space in which rabbits breed or are numerous; any place that is crowded like a rabbit warren
-
-
coalesce
to grow together; to marge into a single body
-
furrow
a trench in the earth made by a plow, a wrinkle
-
recede
to go back; to withdraw
-
flower
to reach the best or most vigorous stage
-
lore
knowledge about a particular subject, esp. of a traditional or popular nature
-
recur
to repeat; to occur again
-
groteque
strangely or absurdly distorted
-
flail
to strike about, to hit wildly
-
repose
relaxation; a state of rest
-
sullen
showing silent anger and unwillingness to be pleasant to people
-
consul
official residing in a foreign country
-
baffle
to frustrate, as by confusing
-
candor
frankness or sincerity of expression
-
slovenly
careless about one's own appearance
-
-
fluctuate
to move back and forth or up and down, esp. unpredictable
-
-
quixotic
foolishly idealistic; extravagantly chivalrous; impulsive or capricious
-
remonstrate
to make objections
-
tangible
able to be touched or treated as real
-
embroil
to engage in trouble; to complicate
-
homely
unattractive, plain looking
-
stamina
resistance to fatigue or hardship; endurance
-
primp
to dress or groom with careful attention to detail
-
posterity
future generations
-
kindling
dry sticks of wood used to start a fire
-
rift
a break in friendly relations
-
rancid
spoiled or rotten (esp. oils or fats)
-
shard
a fragment of a brittle substance, e.g, glass or pottery
-
sarcasm
harsh, often ironic ridicule , intended to hurt
-
-
extortion
taking (property or money) by force or threat of force
-
comely
attractive or pleasing in appearance; pretty; handsome
-
-
obsequious
showing too great a willingness to serve or obey
-
scion
an heir; a descendant
-
bowdlerize
to censor, esp. prudishly
-
defer
to delay; to put off
-
become
to be approporiate or suitable to; to look good with
-
milestone
an important event
-
-
buoy
to keep afloat; to raise the spirits of
-
euphony
pleasing sound, esp. of words
-
hierarchy
a ranking according to status or ability; a group with authority
-
scintillate
to give off sparks; to be animated or brilliant
-
anonymous
having an unknown or unacknowledged name
-
lineaments
any of the features of the body, usually the face
-
dilute
to lessen the concentration, force or purity of by adding something
-
zeal
intense passion or enthusiasm
-
blanket
applying to all conditions or instances
-
deviate
to depart from the norm
-
dynasty
a succession of rulers or people in power from the same family
-
detriment
injury or damage
-
gauge
an instrument for measuring or testing
-
wreak
to inflict; to cause (something bad)
-
maverick
one who rebels; a nonformist; and individualist
-
protean
easily taking on different forms
-
lenient
inclined not to be strict
-
éclat
great brilliance, as of performance or achievement; conspicuous success
-
ravine
a deep, narrow gorge, esp. one worn down with running water
-
malinger
to act sick in order to avoid work
-
chauvinism
unreasoning and boastful devotion to one's country or sex
-
-
voracious
devouring; extremely hungry
-
skulk
to lurk; to move secretively
-
malaise
a vague feeling of physical discomfort or uneasiness
-
lineage
direct descent from an ancestor; derivation
-
diverge
to depart from a set course or opinion
-
clamber
to crawl or climb with difficulty, esp. on all fours
-
bulwark
a wall or embankment used for a defensive fortification
-
acme
the highest point; as of perfection
-
-
waif
a homeless person; especially a child or orphan; someone who is thin and gaunt, especially a girl
-
skittish
nervous; easily frightened
-
filament
a fine wire or thread
-
perpetuity
a state of infinite or indefinitely long duration
-
palpable
capable of being handled, touched or felt; easily perceived
-
demure
coy; modest; reserved
-
elucidate
to make something clear; to clarify
-
claustrophobia
a fear of confined spaces
-
mien
bearing or manner, esp. as revealing one's inner state of mind
-
-
bedlam
any place or condition of noise and confusion
-
-
mélange
a mixture; a hodgepodge
-
improvise
to do without perparation
-
indulgent
lenient; giving to the desires of others
-
premonition
a sense of a future event; a warning in advance
-
occult
relatng to the supernatural; beyond human comprehension; mysterious
-
queasy
sick to one's stomach; nauseated
-
mortal
subject to death; causing death
-
insidious
subtly harmful; stealthy; sneaky
-
beleaguered
harassed; besieged
-
elysian
heavenly or delightful
-
gist
the main objective or point
-
loquacious
very talkative
-
-
impervious
completely resistant to penetration; unaffected
-
fidelity
strict faithfulness to vows or promises; exact correspondence with fact
-
aptitude
an inherent capacity for learning, understanding or performing
-
parochial
restricted; limited; narrow; local
-
acclaim
to praise enthusiastically, esp. publically
-
incessant
never pausing; continuing without a stop
-
intrinsic
relating to the essential nature of a something
-
recumbent
lying down in a position of comfort
-
ramification
a development or consequence resulting from a course of action
-
-
adept
very skilled, esp. natural talent improved by practice
-
windfall
unexpected good fortune
-
curtail
to cut short, abbreviate
-
balk
to stop short and refuse to continue
-
reciprocate
to give something in return
-
facilitate
to make easier
-
pedagogy
the art or profession of teaching
-
pristine
remaining in a pure state
-
arduous
difficult; laborious
-
innate
possessed at birth; inborn
-
pique
to arouse (interest, curiosity, etc.); to irritate
-
rote
mechanical memorization, often without full understanding
-
exacerbate
to make more violent, bitter or severe
-
-
esteem
high regard; respect
-
foster
to bring up or nurture
-
aesthetic
relating to beauty
-
specious
seeming to be truthful on the surface, but actually false
-
progenitor
a direct ancestor
-
audacious
fearlessly, often recklessly bold; insolent
-
fluster
to make nervous or upset
-
warrant
to justify or deserve
-
-
desiccate
to dry completely
-
cliché
an overused expression
-
reticence
the quality or state of being silent or uncommunicative
-
imbue
to inspire; to permeate; to fill with a mood or tone
-
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances
-
proficient
very skillful, esp. through training
-
coddle
to treat indulgently
-
itinerant
traveling from place to place, esp. for work
-
affliction
pain; suffering; anything causing pain
-
vagary
an erratic notion or action
-
précis
a concise summary of a text
-
enormity
great wickedness; an evil act
-
discriminate
to make a clear distinction
-
compass
area; range; scope
-
eclectic
compound of materials from various sources
-
prerogative
an exclusive right or privilege, esp. one that is the result of heredity or official position
-
incur
to acquire or sustain something undesirable
-
exigent
requiring immediate action
-
entail
to have as a necessary result
-
-
recount
to tell in detail
-
commiserate
to express sympathy
-
-
hermetic
completely sealed, esp. from entry or escape of air
-
-
generic
without a trademark; general
-
aspiration
a strong desire for achievement
-
adulation
excessive flattery or admiration
-
efficacy
the power to produce the desired effect
-
temerity
excessive boldness or rashness
-
imperative
urgently necessary; imossible to deter or evade
-
bromide
commonplace remark intended to calm; platitude
-
empirical
based on experience rather than a theory
-
relegate
to assign to an obscure place or condition
-
envelop
to enclose or surround
-
argot
specialized vocabulary unique to a particular group
-
approbation
official approval
-
facetious
playfully humorous
-
superfluous
unncessary; extra
-
scrutiny
close examination; minute inspection; a careful watch
-
elude
to escape from, as by daring or skill; to escape the understanding of
-
nuance
variation of meaning; subtlety
-
cosmopolitan
having worldwide scope; so sophiscated as to be at home in all parts of the world
-
-
degenerate
to decline to an inferior state, often in mental or moral quality
-
germane
fitting and appropriate
-
mnemonic
pertaining to or assisting the memory
-
breach
some sort of violation; a gap
-
adage
a familiar saying; a proverb
-
nadir
the lowest point; the bottom
-
denouement
conclusion; resolution; the falling action of a story after its climax
-
heterogenous
not similar; very different; mixed together
-
-
rococo
elaborate or overdone
-
distend
to stretch out; to expand
-
astute
showing clever awareness, esp. with respect to one's own concern
-
kindred
related or similar in origin or nature
-
neophyte
a beginner; and immature person who is learning
-
sublime
of high spiritual or moral worth
-
tepid
moderately warm; lacking force or enthusiasm
-
equivocal
capable of multiple interpretations; unclear
-
versatile
competent in many things
-
procure
to obtain or acquire
-
paradox
a statement or situation that appears contradictory
-
-
-
forebear
a person from whom one is descended; an ancestor (usually plural)
-
hegemony
strong influence; domination
-
onus
an pleasant task or duty; a burden or obligation
-
affinity
a natural attraction or feeling of kinship; an inherent similarity
-
mundane
typical of this world; commonplace
-
atrophy
a wasting away, esp. of body tissue
-
duplicity
deception; deceitfulness; double-dealing
-
verismilitude
resemblance to the truth
-
proliferate
to grow or reproduce rapidly
-
shibboleth
a custom or phrase distinctive of a particular group; class, etc.
-
congenital
present since birth; being an essential characteristic
-
ensemble
a group, esp. of performers, working as a unified whole
-
cajole
to attempt to persuade with flattery or insincere talk
-
facile
with effortless ease; without proper care; superficial
-
phenomenon
an occurence that can be perceived by the senses; a remarkable person or event
-
civil
observing accepted social customs; not rude
-
accede
to agree to something
-
periphery
a boundary line; perimeter; an outside surface
-
wane
to decrease; to lessen
-
capacious
able to contain or hold much
-
ambivalence
simultaneous existance of opposing feelings; uncertainty as to what to do
-
aloof
distant or removed in attitude or manner
-
-
stanch
to stop the flow of something
-
embryonic
not yet developed; st an early stage
-
-
depict
to represent; to portray
-
finesse
subtle skill in performance or in handling a situation
-
duel
a prearranged combat between two people
-
fractious
disruptive or irritable
-
conjecture
an inference or conclusion based on incomplete evidance
-
interloper
one who interferes with the affairs of others; a meddler
-
brooch
a large, decorative pin
-
foment
to stir up negative feelings, esp. those that lead to violent action
-
-
complacent
too pleased with oneself; self-satisfied
-
abrade
to wear down a surface by or as if by scraping
-
hallucination
a false perception of reality; a delusion
-
heinous
extremely wicked; abominable
-
adorn
to add beauty; to decorate
-
yelp
a sharp cry expressing pain
-
skeptical
tending to question or doubt
-
stimulate
to rouse or excite to action or increased action; to spur on
-
stoic
apparently indifferent to joy, grief, pleasure, or pain
-
cadre
a core group of trained, highly skilled people capable of training others
-
plethora
an abundance or excess of something
-
-
exasperate
to make very important
-
zeitgeist
the trend or spirit of the times
-
forfeit
to surrender or be forced to surrender
-
hallmark
any mark or symbol of genuineness or high quality
-
-
freelance
without long-term commitment to any employer
-
florid
flushed with rosy color; overdecorated
-
tantalize
to torment or tease by showing something desirable while keeping it out of reach
-
elicit
to draw out; to invoke
-
induce
to influence, esp. by persuasion; to bring about
-
exuberant
lively, happy, and full of good spirits
-
ascribe
to attribute to a specific source
-
derelict
deserted, abandoned (of a building); neglectful of a duty (of a person)
-
-
goad
to prod or urge, as if with a pointed stick
-
antediluvian
very old; outdated
-
incumbent
necessary or obligatory
-
proscribe
to prohibit or forbid; to denounce
-
carte blanche
unrestricted power to act at one's own discretion
-
subjective
based on personal experience or feeling, not on external evidance
-
purport
to claim , esp. falsely
-
maim
to cripple; to mutilate; to disable
-
nocturnal
occurring at night
-
contemporary
of the same time or period
-
mediocre
ordinary to inferior in quality; not standing out from the average
-
encroach
to infringe; to intrude; to trespass
|
|
Get the free mobile app
Take the Quiz
Learn more
Learn more