Shared Flashcard Set

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Vocabulary Words
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163
Language - English
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07/25/2009

Additional Language - English Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Efficacious
Definition
adj. - effective, "the vaccine was efficacious and safe"
Term
Alacrity
Definition
n. - brisk and cheerful readiness, "she accepted the invitation with alacrity"
Term
Laudanum
Definition
n.  -  an alcoholic solution containing morphine, prepared from opium and formerly used as a narcotic painkiller
Term
Disparage
Definition

v. - regard or represent as being of little worth, "he never missed an opportunity to disparage his competitors"

 

adv. Disparaging - "disparaging remarks"

Term
Poultice
Definition
n. - a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth
Term
Acuity
Definition
n. - sharpness or keenness of thought, wisdom, "intellectual acuity/visual acuity"
Term
Veritable
Definition

adj. - used as an intensifier, often to qualify a metaphor, "1970s witnessed a veritable price explosion

 

syn. - Genuine

Term

Apt

 

Aptly

Definition

adj. - 

1. appropriate or suitable in the circumstances, "an apt description of her nature"

2. [predic.] (apt to do something - having a tendency to do something

3. quick to learn, "he proved an apt scholar"

 

adv. - quickly, "aptly named"

Term
Cacophony
Definition
n. - a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds, "a cacophony of deafening alarm bells" | figurative "cacophony of architectural styles"
Term
Potpourri
Definition
n. - a mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl or small sack to perfume clothing or a room
Term
Algorithm
Definition
n. - a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, esp. by a computer
Term
Corollary
Definition

n. - a proposition that follows from (and is often appended to) one already proved.

A direct or natural consequence or result

Term
Marginal
Definition

adj. - of, relating to, or situated at the edge or margin of something

of secondary or minor importance; not central, "it seems likely to make only a marginal difference"

Term
Obstinate
Definition

adj. - stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.

 

syn. - Stubborn

Term
Esoteric
Definition
adj. - intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, "esoteric philosophical debates"
Term
Lacerate
Definition
v. - tear or deeply cut
Term
Dichotomy
Definition
n. - a division or contract between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different, "a rigid dichotomy between science and mysticism"
Term
Vestige
Definition
n. - a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists
Term
Font
Definition

n. - a fount/a wealth

"a font of information"

Term
Perfunctory
Definition
adj. - (of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum effort or reflection, "he gave a perfunctory nod"
Term
Compulsory
Definition
adj.- required by law or a rule; obligatory, "it was compulsory to attend Mass"
Term
Bereft
Definition
adj. [past participle of Bereave] - deprived or lacking something, esp. a nonmaterial asset, "her room was stark and bereft of color"
Term
Hermetic
Definition

adj. - (of a seal or closure) complete and airtight, "a hermetic seal that ensures perfect waterproofing"

insulated or protected from outside influences, "a hermetic society"

Term

Estrange

 

Estrangement

Definition

v. - cause (someone) to be no longer close or affectionate to someone; alienate

 

n. - split

Term
Chagrin
Definition
n. - distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated, "Jeff, much to his chagrin, wasn't invited"
Term
Residual
Definition
adj. - remaining after the greater part or quantity has gone, "the withdrawal of residual occupying forces"
Term
Sparse
Definition

adj. - thinly dispersed or scattered, "areas of sparse population"

austere; meager, "an elegantly sparse chamber"

Term
Surreptitiously
Definition
adj. - acting or doing something clandestinely (stealthly), "a surreptitious glance"
Term
Deplume
Definition
v. - deprive (a bird) of feathers; figurative - strip or deprive of honor, status, or wealth
Term
Cad
Definition
n. - A man who behaves dishonorably, esp. towards a woman
Term
Dejected
Definition
adj. - sad or depressed; dispirited
Term
Recumbent
Definition
adj. - (esp. of a person or human figure) lying down, "recumbent status"
Term
Amalgam
Definition
n. - a mixture or blend, "a curious amalgam of the traditional and the modern"
Term
Seminal
Definition

adj. - (of a work, event, moment, or figure) strongly influencing later developments, "his seminal work on chaos theory"

 

Term
Distended
Definition
v. - cause (something) to swell by stretching it from inside, "air is introduced into the stomach to distend it"
Term
Belabor
Definition
v. - argue or elaborate (a subject) in excessive detail, "critics thought they belabored the obvious"
Term
Gestation
Definition
n. - the process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth; figurative - the development of something over a period of time, "various ideas in the process of gestation"
Term
Lavage
Definition
n. - washing out of a body cavity, such as the colon or stomach, with water or a medicated solution
Term
Geld
Definition
v. - castrate; figurative - deprive of vitality or vigor
Term
Duress
Definition
n. - threats, violence, constraints, or other action brought to bear on someone to do something against their will or better judgement, "confessions extracted under duress"
Term
Incongruous
Definition
adj. - not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something
Term
Obsolescent
Definition
adj. - becoming obsolete, "the custom is now obsolescent"
Term
Maritime
Definition
adj. - connected with the sea
Term
Pertinent
Definition
adj. - relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite
Term
Litany
Definition

n. - A series of petitions for use in church services or processions, usually recited by the clergy and responded to in a recurring formula by the people

A tedious recital or repetitive series, "a litany of complaints"

Term
Coalesce
Definition
v. - come together and form one mass or whole, "the puddles had coalesced an formed a shallow stream"
Term
Genial
Definition
adj. - friendly and cheerful, "waved to them in a genial greeting"
Term
Contour
Definition
n. - an outline, esp. one representing or bounding the shape or form of something, "she traced the contours of his face with her finger" | figurative "the contours of American life"
Term
Banal
Definition
adj. - so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring, "songs with banal, repeated words"
Term
Nihilism
Definition
n. - the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless
Term
Itinerant
Definition
adj. - traveling from place to place
Term
Malodor
Definition
n. - a very unpleasant smell
Term
Decorum
Definition
n. - behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety, "you exhibit remarkable modesty and decorum"
Term
Inundate
Definition
v. - flood, "the islands may be the first to be inundated as sea levels rise" | figurative - overwhelm with things or people to be dealt with, "inundated with complaints from listeners"
Term
Animosity
Definition
n. - strong hostility
Term
Capricious
Definition
adj. - given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior, "a capricious climate"
Term
Surrogate
Definition
adj. - a substitute, esp. a person deputizing for another in a specific role or office
Term
Perdition
Definition
n. - (In Christian theology) a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and unpenitent person passes after death.
Term
Castigate
Definition
v. - Reprimand (someone) severely
Term
Hedonism
Definition

n. - the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence

* The ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life

Term
Portend
Definition
v. - be a sign or warning that (something, esp. momentous or calamitous) is likely to , "the eclipse portend some major events"
Term
Nimbus
Definition

n. - 1. a luminous cloud or a halo surround a supernatural being or a saint

2. a light, aura, color, etc., that surrounds someone or something

3. a large gray rain cloud

Term
Stark
Definition

adj. - severe or bare in appearance or outline

* unpleasantly or sharply clear; impossible to avoid

Term
Stodgy
Definition

adj. dull and uninspired

British - bulky or heavy in appearance

(food) heavy, filling, and high in carbohydrates

Term
Gratuitous
Definition

adj. - Uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted

- given or done free of charge, "solicitors provide a form of gratuitous legal advice"

Term
Propensity
Definition
n. - an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way, "a propensity for violence | the innate propensity to attack one another"
Term
Castigate
Definition
v. - reprimand (someone) severely, "he was castigated for not setting a good example"
Term
Hedonism
Definition

n. - the pursuit of pleasure, sensual, self-indulgence

- the ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of satisfaction and desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life

Term
Neuronic
Definition
adj. having to do wth a specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell
Term
Autonomy
Definition

n. - (of a country or region) the right or condition of self-government, esp. in a particular sphere

- a self governing country or region

- freedom from external control or influence; independence

Term
Proliferation
Definition

n. - rapid increase in numbers

- rapid reproduction of a cell, part, or organism

- a large number of something

Term

Cognitive

 

 

Cognition

Definition

adj. - of or relating to cognition

 

 

n. - the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses

- a result of this; a perception, sensation, notion, or intuition

Term
Spurious
Definition

adj. - not being what it purports to be; false or fake

- (of a line of reasoning) apparently but not actually valid

Term
Trepidation
Definition

n. - a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen

Archaic - trembling motion

Term
Sublunary
Definition
adj Poetic/literary - belonging to this world as contrasted with a better or more spiritual one
Term
Laity
Definition

n. - lay people, as distinct from clergy

- ordinary people, as distinct from professionals or experts

Term
Breach
Definition

n. - an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, code of conduct

- a break in relations 

- a gap in a wall, barrier, or defense, esp. one made by an attacking enemy

Term
Aerate
Definition
v. - introduce air (into a material), "She would aerate the lawn with high heels"
Term
Oblique
Definition
adj. - not explicit or direct in addressing a point
Term
Glib
Definition
adj. - (of words or the person speaking them) fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow, "she was careful not to let the answer sound too glib"
Term
Deportment
Definition
n. - A person's behavior or manners
Term
Olfactory
Definition
adj. - of or relating to the sense of smell, "the olfactory organs"
Term
Dall
Definition
n. - a wild N. American sheep found in mountainous country from Alaska to British Columbia
Term
Explicate
Definition

v. - analyze and develop (an idea or principle) in detail, "attempting to explicate the relationship between crime and economic forces"

- analyze (a literary work) in order to reveal its meaning

Term

Outmoded

(outmodedness)

Definition
adj. - old-fashioned
Term
Scathing
Definition

adj. - witheringly scornful; severely critical

 

v. [trans.] - harm; injure 

poetic - damage or destroy by fire or lightning

 

n. - harm; injury

Term
Incisive
Definition

adj. - (of a person or mental process) intelligently analytical and clear-thinking, "she was an incisive critic"

- (of an account) accurate and sharply focused, "the songs offer incisive pictures of American ways"

Term
Puckish
Definition
adj. - playful, esp. in a mischievous way, "a puckish sense of humor"
Term
Ignominious
Definition
adj. - deserving or causing public disgrace or shame, "no other party risked ignominious defeat"
Term
Formative
Definition

adj. - serving to form something, esp. having a profound and lasting influence on a person's development, "his formative years"


Linguistics - denoting or relating to any of the smallest meaningful units that are used to form words in a language, typically combining forms and inflections

Term
Enervate
Definition

v. [trans.] - cause (someone) to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken

 

adj. - lacking in energy/vitality, "the enervate slightness of his frail form"

Term
Pertinent
Definition
adj. - relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite
Term
Apposite
Definition
adj. - apt in the circumstances or in relation to something, "an apposite question | the observations are apposite to the discussion"
Term
Ruminate
Definition

v. - think deeply about something

- (of a ruminant) chew the cud

Term
Propensity
Definition
n. - an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way
Term
Moratorium
Definition
n. - a temporary prohibition of an activity
Term
Defilade
Definition

n. - the protection of a position, vehicle, or troops against enemy observation or gunfire

 

v. - protect (a position, vehicle, troops) against enemy observation or gunfire

 

adj. - "a defiladed tank"

Term
Disconcerting
Definition

adj. - causing one to feel unsettled

 

v.  [trans.] - disturb the composure of; unsettle

Term
Durance
Definition
n. - imprisonment or confinement
Term
Guerdon
Definition

n. - a reward of recompense

 

v. - give a reward to (someone), "there might come a time in which he should guerdon them"

Term
Dost
Definition
archaic - second person singular present of DO
Term
Reprieve
Definition

v. - cancel or postpone the punishment of (someone, esp. someone condemned to death) 

- abandon or postpone plans to close or put an end to (something), "the threatened pits could be reprieved"

 

n. - a cancellation or postponement of a punishment

- a temporary escape from an undesirable fate or unpleasant situation, "you have been given reprieve"

Term
Diction
Definition

n. - the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing

- the style of enunciation in speaking or singing

Term
Soliloquy
Definition
n. - an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, esp. by a character in a play.
Term
Stilted
Definition

adj. - (of a manner of talking or writing) stiff and self-conscious or unnatural, "we made stilted conversation" 

- standing on stilts

Term
Peripheral
Definition

adj. - of, relating to, or situated on the edge or periphery of something, "the peripheral areas of Europe"

- of secondary or minor importance; marginal, "she will see their problems as peripheral to her own"

Anatomy - near the surface of the body with special reference to the circulation and nervous system

Term
Addendum
Definition
n. - an item of additional material, typically omissions, added at the end of a book or other publication
Term
Epistemology
Definition
n. Philosophy - the theory of knowledge, esp. with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion
Term
Metaphysics
Definition

n. - the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space

- abstract theory or talk with no basis in reality

Term
Wallow
Definition

v. [instrans.] - (chiefly of large mammals) roll about or lie relaxed in mud or water, esp. to keep cool, avoid biting insects, or spread scent.

- (of a person) indulge in an unrestrained way in (something that creates a pleasurable sensation)

 

n. - an act of wallowing

- an area of mud or shallow water where mammals go to wallow, typically developing into a depression in the ground over long use

Term
Demarcate
Definition

v. - set the boundaries or limits of, "plots of land demarcated by barbed wire

- seperate or distinguish from

Term
Demarcation
Definition

n. - the action of fixing the boundary or limits of something, "the demarcation of the maritime border"

- a dividing line, "a horizontal band that produces a distinct demarcation two inches from the top"

Term
Anagram
Definition
n. - a word, phrase, or name formed by rearranging the letters of another, such as cinema, formed from iceman
Term
Anagrammatize
Definition
v. - make an anagram of (a word, phrase, or name)
Term
Pseudonym
Definition
n. - a fictitious name, esp. one used by an author
Term
Penitent
Definition

adj. - feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant, "a penitent expression"

 

n. - a person who repents their sins or wrongdoings and (in the Christian Church) seeks forgiveness from God

- (In the Catholic Church) a person who confesses their sins to a priest and submits to the penance that he imposes

Term
Kith
Definition
n. - (in phrase 'kith and/or kin') one's friends, acquaintances, and relations
Term
Proviso
Definition
n. - a condition attached to an agreement, "he left his unborn grandchild a trust fund with the proviso that he be named after the old man"
Term
Cud
Definition
n. - partly digested food returned from the first stomach of ruminants to the mouth for further chewing
Term
Privation
Definition

n. - a state in which things that are essential for human well-being such as food and warmth are scarce or lacking

- the loss or absence of a quality or attribute that is normally present

Term
Denotation
Definition

n. - the literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests

- the action or process of indicating or referring to something by means of a word or symbol, etc.

- Philosophy the object or concept to which a term refers, or the set of objects of which a predicate is true

Term
Connotation
Definition

n. - an idea or feeling that a word invokes person in addition to its literal or primary meaning, "the word "discipline" has unhappy connotations of punishment and repression"

- the implication of such ideas or feelings, "the work functions both by analogy and by connotation"

- Philosophy the abstract meaning or intention of a term, which forms a principle determining which objects or concepts it applies to

Term
Syntax
Definition

n. - the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language

- a set of rules for or an analysis of this

- the branch of linguistics that deals with this

Term
Permeate
Definition

v. [trans.] - spread throughout (something); pervade

[intrans.] - "his personality has begun to permeate through the whole organization"


Term
Scintilla
Definition
n. - a tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling
Term
Predicate
Definition

n. - the part of a sentence or clause containing a verb and stating something about the subject (e.g. went home in John went home)

- Logic something that is affirmed or denied concerning an argument of a proposition

 

v. - [trans.]

- Grammar & Logic state, affirm, or assert (something) about the subject of a sentence or an argument of proposition: aggression is predicated of those who act aggressively

- (predicate something on/upon) found or base something on: the theory of structure on which later chemistry was predicated.

Term
Motley
Definition

adj. - incongruously varied in appearance or character; disparate

 

n. - [usu. in sing.] an incongruous mixture: a motley of interacting interest groups.

- historical the particolored costume of a jester: the mannequins in full motley

Term
Polymath
Definition
n. - a person of wide-ranging knowledge or learning.
Term
Declension
Definition

n. - (in the grammar of Latin, Greek, and other languages) the variation of the form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective, by which its grammatical case, number, and gender are identified.

- the class to which a noun or adjective is assigned according to the manner of this variation

- Poetic/literary a condition of decline or moral deterioration: the declension of the new generation

Term
Caper
Definition

v. - [intrans.] skip or dance about in a lively or playful way: children were capering about the room.

- an amusing or far-fetched story, esp. one presented on film or stage: a cop caper about intergalactic drug dealers

Phrases

cut a caper - make a playful, skipping movement

Term
Redux
Definition
adj. [postpositive] - brought back; revived: the 1980s were far more than just the '50s redux.
Term
Correlation
Definition
n. - a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things
Term
Gracile
Definition

adj. -

- Anthropology (of a hominid species) of slender build.

- (of a person) slender or thin, esp. in a charming or attractive way.

Term
Prepossessing
Definition
adj. [often with negative] - attractive or appealing in appearance: he was not a prepossessing sight.
Term
Hoary
Definition

adj. - grayish white: hoary cobwebs.

- (of a person) having gray or white hair; aged

- [attrib.] used in names of animals and plants covered with whitish fur or short hairs

- old and trite

Term
Quixotic
Definition
adj. - exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical: a vast and perhaps quixotic project.
Term
Repartee
Definition
n. - conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies
Term
Coadjutor
Definition
n. - a bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop, and often designated as his successor.
Term
Obviate
Definition

v. [trans.] - remove (a need or difficulty): the Venetian blinds obviated the need for curtains

- avoid; prevent.

Term
Binary
Definition

adj. - relating to, using, or expressed in a system of numerical notation that has 2 rather than 10 as a base

- relating to, composed of, or involving two things: testing the so-called binary, or dual-chemical, weapons.

 

n. - the binary system: binary notation

- something having two parts (e.g. a binary star)

Term
Frivolous
Definition

adj. - not having any serious purpose or value

- (of a person) carefree and not serious

Term
Glissando
Definition
n. - Music a continuous tide upward or downward between two notes
Term
Artiste
Definition
n. - a professional entertainer, esp. a singer or dancer
Term
Turpitude
Definition
n. formal - depravity, wickedness: acts of moral turpitude.
Term
Doyen
Definition
n. - the most respected or prominent person in a field: the doyen of Canadian poetry.
Term
Sinuous
Definition

adj. - having many curves and turns: the river follows a sinuous trail through the forest

- lithe and supple

Term
Raga
Definition
n. - (Indian Music) a pattern of notes having characteristic intervals, rhythyms, and embellishments, used as a basis for improvisation
Term
Sarod
Definition
n. - a lute used in classical northern Indian music, with four main strings
Term
Protracted
Definition
adj - lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual: a protracted and bitter dispute.
Term
Cloy
Definition
v. - [intrans.] [usu. in sing.] (cloying) disgust or sicken (someone) with an excess of sweetness, richness, or sentiment: a romantic, rather cloying story | [intrans.] the first long sip gives a malty taste that never cloys.
Term
Adulation
Definition
n. - obsequious flattery; excessive admiration or praise: he found it difficult to cope with the adulation of the fans.
Term
Abreaction
Definition
n. - Psychology the expression and consequent release of a previously repressed emotion, achieved through reliving the experience that caused it (typically through hypnosis or suggestion).
Term
Mendacious
Definition
adj. - not telling the truth; lying: mendacious propaganda.
Term
Rishi
Definition
n. - a Hindu sage or saint.
Term
Gamut
Definition

n. - The complete range or scope of something

Music - a complete scale of musical notes; the compass or range of a voice or instrument

historical - a scale consisting of seven overlapping hexachords, containing all the recognized notes used in medieval music, covering almost three octaves from bass G to treble E

historical - the lowest note in this scale

 

Phrases

run the gamut - experience, display, or perform the complete range of something

Term
Grok
Definition

v. (informal) - understand (something) intuitively or by empathy 

[intrans.] - empathize or communicate sympathetically; establish a rapport.

Term
Brevity
Definition

n. - concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.

- shortness of time.

Term
Fatuous
Definition
adj. - silly and pointless.
Term
Blather
Definition

v. [intrans.] - talk long-windedly without making very much sense.

 

n. - long-winded talk with no real substance.

Term
Parlance
Definition
n. - A particular way of speaking or using words, esp. a way common to those with a particular job or interest.
Term
Laurel
Definition

n. - Any of a number of scrubs and other plants with dark green glossy leaves, in particular

 

Figurative - honor

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