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vocab list 3
vocab list 3
44
Language - English
Not Applicable
08/18/2004

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Cards

Term
banal
Definition
adj lacking originality, freshness, or novelty : TRITE
Term
bane
Definition
n 1 a obsolete : KILLER, SLAYER b : POISON c : DEATH, DESTRUCTION d : WOE
2 : a source of harm or ruin : CURSE
Term
baroque
Definition
adj 1 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of artistic expression prevalent especially in the 17th century that is marked generally by use of complex forms, bold ornamentation, and the juxtaposition of contrasting elements often conveying a sense of drama, movement, and tension
2 : characterized by grotesqueness, extravagance, complexity, or flamboyance
3 : irregularly shaped -- used of gems
Term
bellicose
Definition
adj : favoring or inclined to start quarrels or wars
Term
bellwether
Definition
n one that takes the lead or initiative : LEADER; also : an indicator of trends
Term
benign
Definition
adj 1 : of a gentle disposition : GRACIOUS
2 a : showing kindness and gentleness b : FAVORABLE, WHOLESOME
3 a : of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life b : having no significant effect : HARMLESS
Term
beset
Definition
v 1 : to set or stud with or as if with ornaments
2 : TROUBLE, HARASS
3 a : to set upon : ASSAIL b : to hem in : SURROUND
Term
bias
Definition
1 : a line diagonal to the grain of a fabric; especially : a line at a 45° angle to the selvage often utilized in the cutting of garments for smoother fit
2 a : a peculiarity in the shape of a bowl that causes it to swerve when rolled on the green b : the tendency of a bowl to swerve; also : the impulse causing this tendency c : the swerve of the bowl
3 a : BENT, TENDENCY b : an inclination of temperament or outlook; especially : a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : PREJUDICE c : an instance of such prejudice d (1) : deviation of the expected value of a statistical estimate from the quantity it estimates (2) : systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others
4 a : a voltage applied to a device (as a transistor control electrode) to establish a reference level for operation b : a high-frequency voltage combined with an audio signal to reduce distortion in tape recording
synonym see PREDILECTION
Term
bicker
Definition
v : to engage in a petulant or petty quarrel
2 a : to move with a rapidly repeated noise b : QUIVER, FLICKER
Term
bigot
Definition
n : a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices
Term
bilk
Definition
, v 1 : to block the free development of : FRUSTRATE
2 a : to cheat out of something valuable : DEFRAUD b : to evade payment of or to
3 : to slip away from
Term
blasphemy
Definition
, n 1 a : the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God b : the act of claiming the attributes of deity
2 : irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable
Term
blatant
Definition
adj 1 : noisy especially in a vulgar or offensive manner : CLAMOROUS
2 : completely obvious, conspicuous, or obtrusive especially in a crass or offensive manner : BRAZEN
Term
blithe
Definition
adj 1 : of a happy lighthearted character or disposition
2 : lacking due thought or consideration : CASUAL, HEEDLESS
Term
boor
Definition
, n 1 : PEASANT
2 : a rude or insensitive person
Term
burgeois
Definition
adj 1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of the townsman or of the social middle class
2 : marked by a concern for material interests and respectability and a tendency toward mediocrity
3 : dominated by commercial and industrial interests : CAPITALISTIC
Term
bovine
Definition
adj 1 : of, relating to, or resembling the ox or cow
2 : having qualities (as placidity or dullness) characteristic of oxen or cows
Term
brackish
Definition
, adj 1 : somewhat salty
2 a : not appealing to the taste b : REPULSIVE
- brack·ish·ness noun
Term
brandish
Definition
v 1 : to shake or wave (as a weapon) menacingly
2 : to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner
synonym see SWING
Term
brigand
Definition
, n : one who lives by plunder usually as a member of a band : BANDIT
Term
brusque
Definition
adj 1 : markedly short and abrupt
2 : blunt in manner or speech often to the point of ungracious harshness
Term
bucolic
Definition
adj 1 : of or relating to shepherds or herdsmen : PASTORAL
2 : relating to or typical of rural life
Term
bumptious
Definition
, adj presumptuously, obtusely, and often noisily self-assertive : OBTRUSIVE
Term
bouyant
Definition
adj as a : capable of floating b : CHEERFUL, GAY c : capable of recovering : having positive indications
Term
burlesque
Definition
n 1 : a literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation
2 : mockery usually by caricature
3 : theatrical entertainment of a broadly humorous often earthy character consisting of short turns, comic skits, and sometimes striptease acts
Term
buttress
Definition
, n 1 : a projecting structure of masonry or wood for supporting or giving stability to a wall or building
2 as a : a projecting part of a mountain or hill b : a horny protuberance on a horse's hoof at the heel -- see HOOF illustration c : the broadened base of a tree trunk or a thickened vertical part of it
3 : something that supports or strengthens
Term
buttress
Definition
v : to furnish or shore up with a buttress; also : SUPPORT, STRENGTHEN
Term
cacophony
Definition
n : harsh or discordant sound : DISSONANCE 2; specifically : harshness in the sound of words or phrases
Term
cajole
Definition
v 1 : to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance : COAX
2 : to deceive with soothing words or false promises
Term
caliber
Definition
, n 1 a : degree of mental capacity or moral quality b : degree of excellence or importance
2 a : the diameter of a bullet or other projectile b : the diameter of a bore of a gun usually expressed in hundredths or thousandths of an inch and typically written as a decimal fraction
3 : the diameter of a round body; especially : the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder
Term
calumny
Definition
n 1 : a misrepresentation intended to blacken another's reputation
2 : the act of uttering false charges or misrepresentations maliciously calculated to damage another's reputation
Term
candid
Definition
adj 1 : WHITE
2 : free from bias, prejudice, or malice : FAIR
3 a : marked by honest sincere expression b : indicating or suggesting sincere honesty and absence of deception c : disposed to criticize severely : BLUNT
4 : relating to photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posed
Term
cant
Definition
n 1 obsolete : CORNER, NICHE
2 : an external angle (as of a building)
3 : a log with one or more squared sides
4 a : an oblique or slanting surface b : INCLINATION, SLOPE
Term
cantakerous
Definition
adj difficult or irritating to deal with
Term
canvass
Definition
, v transitive senses
2 a : to examine in detail; specifically : to examine (votes) officially for authenticity b : DISCUSS, DEBATE
3 : to go through (a district) or go to (persons) in order to solicit orders or political support or to determine opinions or sentiments
intransitive senses : to seek orders or votes : SOLICIT
Term
capitulate
Definition
, v 1 archaic : PARLEY, NEGOTIATE
2 a : to surrender often after negotiation of terms b : to cease resisting : ACQUIESCE
Term
capricious
Definition
, adj : governed or characterized by caprice : IMPULSIVE, UNPREDICTABLE
caprice: 1 a : a sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or action b : a sudden usually unpredictable condition, change, or series of changes
2 : a disposition to do things impulsively
Term
captious
Definition
adj 1 : marked by an often ill-natured inclination to stress faults and raise objections
2 : calculated to confuse, entrap, or entangle in argument
Term
carnage
Definition
, n : the flesh of slain animals or men
2 : great and bloody slaughter (as in battle)
Term
carp
Definition
v : to find fault or complain querulously
Term
cathartic
Definition
2 a : purification or purgation of the emotions (as pity and fear) primarily through art b : a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension
3 : elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression
Term
caustic
Definition
, adj 1 : capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action : CORROSIVE
2 : marked by incisive sarcasm
Term
cavil
Definition
v intransitive senses : to raise trivial and frivolous objection
transitive senses : to raise trivial objections to
Term
chagrin
Definition
, n : disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure
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