Term
|
Definition
unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others; generous
ex: Nuns and nurses are usually very altruistic people, since they seek ways to help people. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
having contrary feelings or attitudes; uncertain as to course of action
ex: I am ambivalent about a permanent relationship with him, because I like him one day and don't the next. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
lean; sharp-cornered
ex: The patient has lost so much weight that his face has become angular. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
big-headed; proud
ex: Because the girl was so arrogant, she had few friends. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
strong disliking of something
ex: I have an aversion to getting married. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to tell the difference between two things
ex: Because of the fog, I was barely able to discern the landing strip. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
intense dislike; to reject as unworthy
ex: Never having to do manual labor, he disdained the idea of becoming a cotton picker. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to degrade; to belittle
ex: His disparaging remarks about me caused the committee to give the job to another person. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
inequality; unequal in rank, age, etc.
ex: The couple got married even though there was a great disparity in their ages. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to decorate; to make beautiful with ornamentation
ex: You need to embellish your writing; it's just too plain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to cause, produce, or create
ex: His angry words engendered strife in his relationship with his wife. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
harmless; producing no injury
ex: Despite the dog's large size, he is actually quite innocuous. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
boring and stupid
ex: I think that NASCAR is insipid. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to mourn or to express great sorrow
ex: She lamented the death of her father. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to praise; to extol
ex: Her performance was lauded by all of the critics. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
difficult to see; vague
ex: Because the meaning of the play was obscure, it was difficult to enjoy it. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
showy; pretentious
ex: The ostentatious socialite wore her mink fur coat, even during the warmest days of August. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
wasteful
ex: The prodigal son squandered his inheritance. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to reject or disown
ex: The Amish community decided to repudiate the boy who chose to leave the community. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
restraint in speech; reluctance to speak
ex: A lawyer must have reticence in discussing matters that that could violate clients' rights. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to honor; to regard with respect
Nearly all Catholics revere the Pope. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
calm; placid
ex: Spas are known for being very serene. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
not obvious
ex: To avoid being rude in the restaurant, he used subtle gestures to call the waiter to his table. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
beyond what is needed; an overflow
ex: The meeting lasted so long because of the superfluous comments by many of the speakers. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
quiet
A shy person is usually taciturn. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a direct opposite; a contrast
ex: Good is the antithesis of evil. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to move upward; to rise
ex: The climbers worked to ascend the mountain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
unadorned; severe; plain
ex: Pioneers usually led an austere existence. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
independent
ex: A person who is autonomous needs no help from others. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
common; ordinary; insipid
ex: Because of his overused jokes, his sermons tend to be very banal. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
not causing harm; innocuous
ex: The tumor, thankfully, is benign, since it is not cancerous. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
changing suddenly; fickle
ex: Her capricious moods are difficult to anticipate. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to waste time; procrastinate
ex: Since there is a deadline, you cannot dawdle over your work. |
|
|
