Elite Vocab Set 501-1000 Flashcard | Flashcards-library.com

manumit

v. to grant freedom to slaves; to emancipate

tract

n. an area of land or water; a brief written work, usu. on a religious or political topic

venue

n. the location where something takes place, esp. a trial

affected

adj. behaving in an artificial way to impress people

chaste

adj. pure; not engaging in sexual activity

quail

v. to draw back in fear; lose heart of courage

culminate

v. to reach the highest point

ludicrous

adj. ridiculous, or exaggerated as to cause or deserve laughter; absurd

acrid

adj. harsh; sarcastic; bitter to the taste

bellow

v. to yell very loudly; to shout

obstinate

adj. unreasonably stubborn

repertoire

n. the range of pieces an artist is prepared to perform

retract

v. to take back; to pull back

quotidian

adj. daily; customary

protract

v. to extend the duration of; prolong

disparate

adj. entirely unlike

impute

v. to assign credit, often of guilt or blame

taut

adj. tense; very tight

paucity

n. smallness of number; scarcity

noisome

adj. disgustingly offensive; foul

table

v. to postpone consideration of

taboo

n. something forbidden or prohibited

till

v. to prepare the soil for planting

gustatory

adj. relating to the sense of taste

dismal

adj. causing gloom or depression

analogy

n. a smiliarity between things that are otherwise dissimilar

maudlin

adj. excessively sentimental

sanctuary

n. a holy place; a place of refuge

congenial

adj. suited to one's needs or nature; friendly; sympathetic

vain

adj. not producing the desired outcome; worthless; proud or conceited

privation

n. lack of basic necessities

quaint

adj. odd, especially in an old-fashioned way

impetuous

adj. characterized by sudden emotion, energy, etc.; impulsive and passionate

fulcrum

n. the point on which a lever pivots; a crucial point or agent

invective

n. language that abuses or denounces

patronize

v. to sponsor or support; to be kind or helpful in a snobbish way, as if dealing with an inferior

narcissistic

adj. excessively interested in one's own appearance, comfort, importance, etc.

decree

v. to order with the force of law; n. an official order

figment

n. something that is created; something that is imagined

poignant

adj. sharply painful to the feelings

toady

n. a person who flatters others for self-serving reasons; a sycophant

decor

n. a decorative style or scheme, as of a room

chic

adj. smartly elegant in style and manner

icon

n. an image; a symbole; a representation of a holy person, esp. in the Orthodox Christian churches

hypocrisy

n. the pretense of having virtues or beliefs that one does not really have

compendium

n. a short, complete summary

redolent

adj. aromatic; fragrant; suggestive

persevere

v. to remain constant despite obstacles

civic

adj. pertaining to a city or citizen

perfunctory

adj. done without care or interest or merely as a form or routine

attract

v. to pull towards; to stimulate interest

dowdy

adj. lacking in neatness or style; shabby

deride

v. to ridicule

arable

adj. suitable for growing crops (of land)

berserk

adj. dangerously destructive; frenzied

groggy

adj. confused, sluggish, or dizzy, as from lack of sleep or drunkenness

vindicate

v. to clear of blame with supporting arguments or proof

olfactory

adj. relating to the sense of smell

canon

n. a law or body of laws, esp. religious; an established principle or basis for judgement; The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic

distraction

n. mental distress; that which amuses or entertains

ubiquitous

adj. present everywhere

malady

n. a disease; illness; sickness

anecdote

n. a brief story, oft. humorous

ocular

adj. relating to the eye or sense of sight

salutary

adj. beneficial; favorable to health

crestfallen

adj. feeling disappointment; feeling shame or humiliation

junta

n. a group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power

collude

v. to plot secretly for a deceitful or illegal purpose

retire

v. to retreat, as from battle

collateral

adj. parallel; serving to support; of a secondary nature

husband

v. to use sparingly; to conserve

maelstrom

n. a violently confused state; a very large whirlpool

diffuse

v. to spread around or scatter; adj. widely scattered

embezzle

v. to take money for one's own use, in violation of a trust

accrue

v. to come as a gain; to increase

pandemonium

n. confusion; misunderstanding

kudos

n. glory; fame

dwindle

v. to decrease gradually until little remains

mellifluous

adj. smooth and sweet; flowing with sweetness

melancholy

adj. sad, esp. a lingering or habitual state of mind

convivial

adj. sociable; festive

oppugn

v. to oppose with argument; to contradict or call into question

gesticulate

v. to make gestures, esp. while speaking

shear

v. to cut hair or wool from

malleable

adj. able to be pounded; capable of being molded; adaptable

inaugurate

v. to formally bring into office at the beginning of a term

tentative

adj. experimental; not sure

flotsam

n. wreckage of a ship or its cargo found floating on the sea

manifold

adj. of many kinds; numerous and varied

imminent

adj. impending; threatening; likely to happen

berate

v. to scold severely and at length

tacit

adj. unspoken but understood; silent

implacable

adj. unable to be pacified; relentless

malediction

n. evil talk about someone; slander; a curse

inscrutable

adj. hard to understand; enigmatic

dispirited

adj. sad

cherish

v. to hold in great affection

raconteur

n. one who tells stories with skill

inchoate

adj. at an early stage of development; not well developed

dissipate

v. to scatter; to spend wastefully

diffident

adj. lacking self-confidence; timid; shy

muse

v. to meditate; to consider thoughtfully

condone

v. to pardon or overlook voluntarily

covert

adj. concealed or disguised; not openly practiced

adulterate

v. to make impure

ethereal

adj. delicate; soft; airy; intangible

anthropology

n. study of the origin, behavior, and culture of human beings

extant

adj. currently or actually existing

blandishment

n. a flattering act or remark; allurement; enticement

unpretentious

adj. modest; not showy

weather

v. to survive

conundrum

n. a riddle or puzzle, esp. one without a solution

colloquial

adj. appropriate to spoken, as opposed to written, language; informal

lethargic

adj. dull; sluggish; moving slowly

insensible

adj. not able to feel or perceive; unresponsive

commensurate

adj. equal in proportion; having the same size, duration, etc.

hyperbole

n. exaggeration

proletariat

n. the working class

dupe

v. to deceive; to trick; n. a person easily tricked

fruitless

adj. without results; unprofitable

parody

n. a humorous and ridiculous imitation

traction

the ability (as of a tire or wheel) to stay on a surface without sliding; the act of pulling (esp. as a medical treatment)

trauma

n. serious physical or emotional injury

salient

adj. important, prominent, most noticeable

exemplary

adj. worthy to serve as a model

recidivist

n. one who returns to criminal habits

hysteria

n. a sudden outburst of uncontrolled emotion such as fear, excitement, etc.

discrete

adj. individually distinct or separate

venal

adj. capable of being bribed or corrupted

palliate

v. to lessen the pain or severity

avert

v. to turn away

lacuna

n. an empty space or missing portion

opine

v. to express an opinion

firebrand

n. one who stirs up trouble or revolt

jeremiad

n. an elaborate and lengthy tale of sadness

metaphysical

adj. highly abstract or teoretical; lacking physical form

contempt

adj. a feeling that something is low or disgusting

petty

adj. having secondary rank or importance

feign

v. to pretend; to fake

reproach

v. to express disapproval for a fault, usu. out of sense of disappointment

largess

n. generosity in giving gifts

martyr

n. one who chooses to die rather than to give up religious beliefs, or who suffers greatly to further a cause

disheveled

adj. disarranged; untidy; rumpled

ephemeral

adj. lasting for a short time; fleeting

igonminy

n. shame; dishonor

dote

v. to show excessive love or fondness

devour

v. to eat up greedily

meander

v. to follow a winding course; to wander without any fixed destination

pandemic

n. general, widespread, oft. of disease

haven

n. a safe place

frugal

adj. careful in spending money or resource

schism

n. a division; a split; a break

flighty

adj. unstable or easily excited

extract

v. to remove, esp. with effort

duress

n. strain or hardship, often illegally applied

credit

v. to believe; to trust

bourgeoisie

n. the middle class

forthright

adj. direct and without evasion; honest

archive

n. records or documents of a government or institution; the place where such records are kept

collage

n. an assembly of diverse elements

repel

v. to drive or force back; to drive off

sensuous

adj. appealing to the senses, esp. those involved in appreciating beauty

anachronism

n. something not belonging to a certain time period

inundate

v. to flood

sediment

n. a residue that settles in the bottom of something

endemic

adj. native to a particular country

legerdemain

n. trickery; deception; sleight of hand

precipitate

adj. moving rapidly and without caution

vocation

n. a regular occupation, esp. one for which a person is particularly suited

mean

adj. lowly, insignificant, petty

tactile

adj. of or related to the sense of touch

temperate

adj. consistent; moderate; without extremes

gestate

v. evolve, as in prenatal growth

posthumous

adj. done or occurring after death

wax

v. to become larger

deprive

v. to take or keep something away from someone

pinnacle

n. the highest point; summit

expedite

v. to speed up

innuendo

n. an indirect suggestion about someone or something, esp. of a negative nature

garish

adj. marked by unpleasantly bright colors or excessive ornamentation

caliber

n. degree of worth or value

monolithic

adj. massive, solid and uniform in appearance

patina

n. thing greenish layer that forms on copper as a result of corrosion; the sheen on any surface produced by age or use

erratic

adj. inconsistent, unpredictable

foreboding

n. a sense of impending evil, esp. one without definite cause

preponderance

n. superiority in weight, force, importance or influence

imbecile

n. a stupid or silly person

havoc

n. great destruction and devastation

placate

v. to make less angry

prescribe

v. to set down as a rule

dispense

v. to administer; to distribute; (with prep. 'with'): to do without

hidebound

adj. narrow-minded

obtuse

adj. slow in understanding; dull; stupid

penitent

adj. feeling regret

sparse

adj. thinly spread or distributed; not dense or crowded

dispatch

v. to send off promptly; n. efficient speed; a message, esp. official or from a journalist

evanescent

adj. fading from sight; transient

nonchalant

adj. seemingly to be unconcerned or indifferent

fledgling

n. a young inexperience person; a young bird just growing feathers

mercurial

adj. easily changeable; erratic

lionize

v. to look upon or treat as a celebrity

palatable

adj. pleasant or acceptable to the taste

insular

adj. narrow in outlook; provincial

contract

v. to reduce in size by drawing together

garrulous

adj. talking too much, esp. about trivial things

cavort

v. to leap about in a lively manner; to have lively or boisterous fun

lament

v. to grieve; to regret deeply; n. a mournful song

epigram

n. a short, cleverly-worded statement

lopsided

adj. larger of shaped differently on one side than on another

fervid

adj. extremely emotional; passionate

genealogy

n. the science or study of family descent

alacrity

n. cheerful willingness; swiftness

alchemy

n. medieval chemistry, esp. the attempt to change common metals into gold

subordinate

adj. occupying a lower position

hedonist

n. someone who seeks only pleasure

vie

v. to compete

hangar

n. a structure used for housing aircraft

pathetic

adj. arousing pity; arousing scornful pity

belated

adj. delayed; postponed; detained

capitulate

v. to surrender under specific conditions; to give up all resistance

callous

adj. lacking pity or mercy; unfeeling

foible

n. a minor weakness of character

just

adj. honorable and fair; consistent with what is right

audible

adj. able to be heard

excruciating

adj. severely painful

cornucopia

n. an abundance

gamut

n. an entire range or series

heyday

n. a time or success or popularity

feral

adj. existing in a wild or untamed state

fiat

n. an authoritative order; an arbitrary decree

fraternize

v. to associate in a friendly manner

attrition

n. gradual reduction

flaccid

adj. lacking firmness

autocracy

n. rule by one person with unlimited power

unruly

adj. difficult to control; disobedient

memento

n. a reminder or a souvenir

sumptuous

adj. of a size of splendor suggesting great expense; lavish

infatuated

adj. experiencing an unreasonable passion or attraction

myopic

adj. near-sighted

benign

adj. kindly; creating a favorable influence; (in medicine) not dangerous to one's health

hirsute

adj. having excessive body hair

purvey

v. to supply

mores

n. accepted rules of behavior

filibuster

v. to use a prolonged speech to delay legislative action; n. a speech that delays legislative action

lambent

adj. flickering, e.g., of a flame or light reflected on a surface

haggard

n. appearing tired and thin, as from anxiety, disease, hunger, etc.

obeisance

n. a gesture, such as curtsy, that expresses respect or obedience

succulent

adj. full of juice; highly enjoyable

camaraderie

n. loyalty; a warm, friendly feeling among members of a group

solicitous

adj. showing anxious concern

dirge

n. slow, sad music, esp. a funeral hymn

emancipate

v. to give freedom; to set loose

turbulence

n. commotion or wild disorder

destitution

n. the lack of any means of subsistence

unseemly

adj. not decent or proper

didactic

adj. intended to teach; inclined to teach excessively

glean

v. to gather bit by bit

furtive

adj. characterized by secretive behavior

incredulous

adj. disbelieving; skeptical

disabuse

v. to free from error or falsehood

eddy

n. a current, as of water or air, moving contrary to the direction of the main current, esp. in a circular motion

defile

v. to corrupt; to desecrate or sully

gambit

n. a calculated, risky opening move

copious

adj. very plentiful

savant

n. a well-educated person; a scholar

cite

v. to refer to or quote

leeway

adj. margin; room for freedom of action

shambles

n. utter disorder

fauna

n. animals as a group, esp. of a specified region or time

precept

n. a rule of action or conduct

querulous

adj. inclined to find fault; complaining; full of complaint

hearsay

n. rumor; gossip

ado

n. trouble; fuss

dally

v. to waste time; loiter

macabre

adj. suggesting the horror of death

veritable

adj. being truly named; real or genuine

scaffold

n. a temporary platform used in work on a building

rummage

v. to search thoroughly by handling or disarranging the contents of

avid

adj. having a passionate desire

negligible

adj. of little value or importance

redoubtable

adj. fearsome; formidable

impasse

n. a dead-end

acute

adj. sharp; clever; severe

unctuous

adj. oily; showing insincere earnestness

mitigate

v. to improve by lessening the severity of

bemuse

v. to confuse or stupefy

aggrandize

v. to enlarge; increase in size, power or rank

sylvan

adj. characteristic of woods or forests

blase

adj. indifferent or bored with life; unimpressed as if because of too much worldly experience

stultify

v. to make absurdly useless, esp. by degrading; to make appear foolish

refuse

n. garbage

torpid

adj. inactive; sluggish; dormant

adjunct

n. something attached to another in a subordinate position

subjugate

v. to bring under control; to conquer

allege

v. to assert to be true, esp. without or before proof

spurious

adj. not genuine; false

punctilious

adj. careful about every detail of behavior

seethe

v. to be violently excited; to boil

acquit

v. to declare free of guilt; to clear

undulate

v. to move in a wave-like motion

altruistic

adj. unselfish; benevolent; caring more for others than oneself

benefactor

n. one who helps and supports others

painstaking

adj. very thorough; careful

smirk

v. to smile in a self-satisfied or artificial way

primordial

adj. living or existing at the very beginning

impel

v. to push something into motion

obese

adj. very fat

genre

n. a kind, or type

pugilist

n. a boxer

paroxysm

n. a sudden convulsion or outburst; a fit

phase

n. a stage in a process of change or development

disciple

n. a follower of another who helps to spread teachings

oracle

n. a person thought to be a source of wisdom or prophecy

ewe

n. a female sheep, esp. when full grown

crass

adj. dull-witted; unrefined

mogul

n. a rich or powerful person

burnish

v. to polish

sloth

n. laziness

medley

n. a mixture of things not usually placed together

exhume

v. to dig up out of the ground

conflagration

n. large, disastrous fire

exorbitant

adj. excessive

sadistic

adj. getting pleasure from inflicting physical or psychological pain

spendthrift

n. one who spends money wastefully

digest

n. a collection of previously published material, usu. In condensed form

quarantine

n. enforced isolation to prevent the spread of disease; v. to isolate for such purpose

obituary

n. a newspaper account of a person's death, usually including biographical information

travail

n. painfully difficult work; pain or suffering from mental or physical hardship

laudable

adj. worthy of praise

quiescent

adj. inactive, oft. Suggesting a temporary state

dilemma

n. a situation in which one must choose between two equally bad alternatives

ramshackle

adj. about to fall apart or fall down

uncouth

adj. uncultured; crude

tightfisted

adj. stingy; miserly

tenable

adj. able to maintained or defended

turmoil

n. extreme confusion; uproar

definitive

adj. complete

vendetta

n. a bitter feud or quarrel; fight

tact

n. skill in dealing with others, esp. in difficult situations

pseudonym

n. a fictitious name assumed by an author

gullible

adj. easily deceived; credulous

itinerary

n. a route or proposed route for a journey

transfix

v. to pierce, as with a pointed weapon; to render motionless, as with fear

purloin

v. to steal, oft. In violation of a trust

impotent

adj. powerless; helpless; ineffective

charade

n. an obvious pretense or deception

devout

adj. devoted to religion; sincere

sodden

adj. thoroughly wet, drenched

virulent

adj. extremely infectious or harmful; bitterly hostile

assiduous

adj. diligent; hard-working; constant

inception

n. commencement; beginning; origin

surfeit

n. an excess

domineer

v. to rule over arbitrarily or tyrannically

correlate

v. to correspond; to be mutually related

petulant

adj. impatient or irritable, esp. over a minor annoyance

calumny

n. a false and maclicious statement; slander

irk

v. to irritate or be wearisome

emaciated

adj. made thin unnaturally; abnormally thin due to starvation

confound

v. to mix up or lump together indiscriminately; to confuse

leonine

adj. authoritative; commanding; like a lion

emanate

v. to send forth; to come forth

morose

adj. sour tempered and inclined to be silent

insolent

adj. boldly disrespectful in speech or behavior; impertinent; impudent

dour

adj. stern and humorless; silently ill-humored

pauper

n. one who is extremely poor, esp. one living on public charity

dregs

n. the worst part; the sediment in a liquid

liable

adj. legally obligated; likely (w/ reference to an unfavorable outcome)

bungle

v. to handle badly; to botch or mess up

plebeian

adj. common

ritual

n. a ceremonial act; a customary procedure

diligent

adj. painstaking and steady

conception

n. formation of an idea in the mind; the start of pregnancy

mare

n. a female horse

feline

adj. cat-like

canine

adj. resembling or relating to dogs (or wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes)

dogmatic

adj. arrogantly asserting unproved principles

inconsequential

adj. unimportant

amend

v. to improve through change or correction

humus

n. fertilizer; black soil for fertilizing

cohesion

n. the act or state of uniting or sticking together

inert

adj. unable to move or respond; sluggish

epidemiology

n. the branch of medicine that studies the causes, spread, and control of disease in populations

convoluted

adj. intricate; complicated

salubrious

adj. favorable to good health

pertinent

adj. relevant

mar

v. to damage

protege

n. one whose welfare, training, or career is promoted by another person

scapegoat

n. one who takes blame

temper

v. to bring down in tone; to moderate; to soften

propitiate

adj. to appease or placate

abeyance

n. a suspension of activity

wayward

adj. stubbornly going against what is expected or required in order to satisfy one's own desires

profligate

adj. immorally wasteful

abhor

v. to detest; to shrink from in disgust

stalwart

adj. firm and resolute; having imposing physical strength

woe

n. deep distress or misery; misfortune

decimate

v. to destroy or kill a large part of (a group)

senescent

adj. aging; growing weak with age

schema

n. an outline or model, often drawn as a diagram

pore

v. to read or study carefully

impertinent

adj. rude

fray

n. a fight or brawl

oaf

n. a stupid, clumsy person

intercept

v. to stop something from reaching its intended destination

cynical

adj. distrusting others from a sense that everyone's motives are selfish

immaculate

adj. perfectly clean

sybarite

n. one devoted to luxury

foal

n. a young horse, esp. under one year old

desideratum

n. something needed and wanted

glutton

n. one who eats too much

ascetic

adj. self-denying

martinet

n. one who is strict in discipline, and enjoys authority too much

aquiline

adj. resembling or relating to eagles; curved (like an eagle's beak)

ornate

adj. highly, oft. excessively decorated

lucid

adj. easily understood, clear

subsequent

adj. happening afterward; following in order

assail

v. to attack; to assault

hovel

n. a living place that is very filthy and dirty

teeming

adj. overfilled; crowded; pouring out

hoax

n. an act meant to trick or fool

overweening

adj. excessively arrogant; overbearing

epiphany

n. a sudden flash or understanding

eulogy

n. a speech or written tribute in praise of someone who has died

incarcerate

v. to restrict by imprisonment; to keep in prison

deficient

adj. lacking an essential quality; inadequate in amount or degree

bandy

v. to pass (gossip, rumor, etc.) about freely and carelessly

vagrant

n. a person who wanders from place to place, esp. one who lives on the streets and consitutes a public nuisance

anodyne

n. a pain-killer or anesthetic

beguile

v. to deceive by charm

biennial

adj. happening every two years

litigant

n. one who is engaged in a lawsuit

noxious

adj. harmful to health or the mind

zest

n. hearty enjoyment; flavor or interest

upbraid

v. to criticize sharply, esp. by a figure of authority

stringent

adj. imposing strict standards of performance; constricted

specter

n. a ghost; a disturbing image or prospect

resuscitate

v. to revive, esp. from apparent death or unconsciousness

contiguous

adj. sharing a common boundary; adjoining

supercilious

adj. feeling or showing proud contempt

municipal

adj. relating to local government

sanctimonious

adj. pretending holiness; hyprocritically devout

pusillanimous

adj. cowardly

beset

v. to attack from all sides; to trouble persistently

status quo

n. the existing state of affairs at a particular time

static

adj. not moving

revile

v. to attack with harsh language

deplore

v. to feel or express strong disapproval of

viscous

adj. resistant to flow; thick (of a liquid)

despondent

adj. so sad as to lack all hope

torrid

adj. parched with heat; ardent or passionate

stationary

adj. not moving

fodder

n. feed for livestock; a resource

soliloquy

n. a dramatic speech delivered by a character to himself

concur

v. to agree

deem

v. to have as an opinion; to consider

jest

v. to be playful in speech and actions; to joke

inculcate

v. to teach or impress by frequent repetition; to instill

orthodox

adj. accepting the usual beliefs, esp. religious

naive

adj. simple; childlike; lacking worldy wisdom

despoil

v. to deprive something of value

captious

adj. critically faultfinding

compel

v. to cause to occur by pressure; to force

benevolent

adj. characterized by doing good

inveterate

adj. established for a long time; habitual

chaos

n. complete disorder

laconic

adj. brief in speech; using few words

obstreperous

adj. noisily and stubbornly defiant

ruthless

adj. having no compassion or pity

courteous

adj. polite and gracious; considerate toward others; well-mannered

edifice

n. a building; architectural monument

squalid

adj. having a dirty or lowly appearance

circumspect

adj. showing discretion and careful judgment

pernicious

adj. very harmful or destructive

cavalier

adj. casual, disdainful

incipient

adj. beginning to appear or be noticed

abyss

n. a deep, bottomless chasm; immeasurable depth

paramount

adj. supreme; ranking higher than others in power or importance

recrimination

n. a reply to one charge with a countercharge

relic

n. a surviving trace of a culture or period that no longer exists

fracas

n. a noisy fight

pugnacious

adj. belligerent, ready to fight

utilitarian

adj. stressing practical use over other values

repartee

n. a quick witty reply; a series of such replies

tax

v. to make difficult or excessive demands upon

recalcitrant

adj. marked by stubborn defiance of authority or guidance

amenable

adj. responsive to advice or authority

vestige

n. a trace of something that once existed but has disappeared

extrapolate

v. to predict by extending known information

solace

n. comfort in a time of distress

ricochet

v. to rebound at least once from a surface

suffuse

v. to spread through or over (as with light or color)

excavate

v. to expose to view by digging out

rampant

adj. unrestrained

lackadaisical

adj. showing lack of interest or spirit

reprieve

v. to postpone or cancel punishment

tabulate

v. to count

connive

v. to cooperate secretly in wrongful action

scintilla

n. a small amount; a spark

genesis

n. birth; beginning; origin

castigate

v. to criticize severely, esp. in public

consign

v. to give to the care of another; to set apart

insouciant

adj. calm and untroubled; carefree; indifferent;

anomaly

n. a departure from the regular pattern

accolade

n. an award or honor; a sign of great respect

ire

n. anger

subsume

v. to include as part of a larger group

importune

v. to beg desperately and repeatedly

strident

adj. loud and shrill or grating

codify

v. to organize something (such as laws or rules) into a system

penury

n. lack of money, property, necessities

enclave

n. a country or other distinctly bounded area wholly surrounded by another area

iconoclast

n. one who attacks and seeks to destroy widely accepted ideas

pallid

adj. faint in color; pale

excoriate

v. to denounce sharply; to tear or wear the skin off

oxymoron

n. a figure of speech combining apparently contradictory terms, e.g., "darkness visible"

adhere

v. to stick to; to be a firm follower

burgeon

v. to sprout or grow rapidly

faux pas

n. a social blunder

bevy

n. a group, esp. of women or birds

impromptu

adj. without preparation

ductile

adj. easily shaped; capable of being persuaded easily

flout

v. to intentionally and obviously disobey

maul

v. to injure; mangle

nonplus

v. to put at a loss what to do or think

ensconce

v. to settle securely or snugly

renege

v. to fail to carry out a promise

tyranny

n. arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority

prowess

n. superior skill or ability

crop

v. to cut or bite the ends off; to trim

martial

adj. warlike

shoddy

adj. inferior or cheap

bizarre

adj. very odd in manner; grotesque; strange

cognition

n. the process of knowing; perception

resonant

adj. strong and deep in tone

prospect

n. the outlook for the future; a view, esp. of scenery

qualm

n. a sudden feeling of sickness; an uneasy feeling about the moral rightness of an action

desecrate

v. to violate the religious quality of something

banish

v. to drive away; to force to leave a place by official decree

authoritarian

n. demanding unquestioning obedience

alleviate

v. to reduce pain, esp. temporarily or without removing its cause

fiasco

n. a major disaster

eugenics

n. the study of hereditary improvement of human beings by controlled breeding

douse

v. to wet thoroughly

inadvertent

adj. unintentional; accidental

neologism

n. new word of phrase

catharsis

n. purging of the emotions

conducive

adj. tending to be bring about

haunt

v. to visit often or continually

interlocutor

n. someone who takes part in a conversation, esp. formally

theology

n. the study of the nature of God and religious truth

enigma

n. a preplexing, usually ambiguous puzzle

euphemism

n. the substitution of an agreeable word or phrase to replace one that might offend

dilettante

n. one who engages an art with only superficial skill; an amateur

exposition

n. a statement intended to give background information or to explain something difficult

dissociate

v. to break ties

matriculate

v. to admit or be admitted into a group, esp. a college or university

fulsome

adj. disgusting because excessive or insincere; replusive

factious

adj. causing dissension

espouse

v. to give loyalty or support to; to adopt

ponder

v. to think over with great care

esoteric

adj. known by or confined to a small number of people

countenance

n. appearance, esp. the expression of the face; v. to tolerate

feckless

adj. careless; irresponsible

eminent

adj. outstanding, distinguished, towering above others

epicure

n. one with refined tastes, esp. in food and wine

hamper

v. to keep from moving or acting freely

incisive

adj. keen or penetrating in thought or expression

contravene

v. to act counter to; violate

immune

adj. not subject to an obligation imposed on others; not affected by an influence

imbroglio

n. a confused misunderstanding or disagreement

bona fide

adj. genuine

legacy

n. something passed down to a descendant

comprise

v. to include; to contain; to be composed of

dichotomy

n. division with two contradictory parts

obdurate

adj. not easily moved to pity or sympathy

flora

n. plants as a group, esp. of a specified region or time

debilitated

adj. showing impairment of energy or strength

demur

v. to object; to disagree with something

ultimatum

n. a final demand or statement of terms

conviction

n. a strong belief or opinion

efface

v. to rub out, as from a surface; to erase

advocate

v. to speak in support of something

prone

adj. disposed to an action; lying face down

graphic

adj. described in vivid and explicit detail

mandate

n. a command; an order

ethics

n. the standards or rules governing proper conduct

disdain

n. a feeling of contempt

surly

adj. sullen and rude

pejorative

adj. downgrading, demeaning

libertine

adj. one who lives an immoral life

dissonant

adj. harsh and disagreeable in sound

novel

adj. strikingly new

abstruse

adj. difficult to understand

aegis

n. a protection; sponsorship

coerce

v. to force by threat or intimidation

resolve

v. to decide; to bring into focus

grapple

v. to struggle with something; to grip and hold

equilibrium

n. a state of balance or equality between opposing forces

disposition

n. personality; temperament

repugnant

n. distasteful; offensive

humane

adj. kind; compassionate

progeny

n. children or descendants

depreciate

v. to reduce in price or value

plausible

adj. appearing worthy of belief or trust

rout

n. a disorderly retreat or flight following a defeat; an overwhelming defeat; v. to defeat overwhemingly

elocution

n. the art of public speaking, with attention to delivery

fetter

v. to confine, to restrain, or keep down; n. chains; shackles

exalt

v. to raise in status or character; to increase the effect or intensity of

philanthropic

adj. donating to charity

start

v. to move suddenly or involuntarily

contemplate

v. to look at or think about carefully; to consider as a possibility

own

v. to admit, esp. taking personal reponsibility for one's own actions or thoughts

hedge

v. to protect against possible loss by taking compensatory measures; to avoid making a direct statement

mimic

v. to copy closely, esp. with intent to ridicule

lachrymose

adj. causing tears; weeping or inclined to weep

hospitable

adj. friendly, kind, and solicitous toward guests; receptive or open

meritocracy

n. a system in which promotion is based on individual ability or achievement

desolate

adj. left alone; lonely; deserted

paean

n. a song of joy, triumph, or praise

covet

v. to desire strongly

decadence

n. a period of decline, as in morals

contingent

adj. unpredictable because dependent on chance; dependent on something uncertain

debacle

n. an overwhelming defeat or rout

hefty

adj. heavy

reproof

n. an expression of disapproval; a rebuke

emphatic

adj. done or expressed with force

ineluctable

adj. unable to be avoided; inescapable

doldrums

n. an area in the ocean of calm wings; a state of boredom or listlessness

scenario

n. an outline for a planned series of events, either real of imagined; a summary of a work of fiction

disinterested

adj. free from bias

emblematic

adj. symbolic, representative of more

juncture

n. a point of time; a concurrence of events

nettle

v. to bother; to irritate

relent

v. to become less severe; to give in

beget

v. to produce; to father offspring

appellation

n. name; title

invidious

adj. tending to arouse hostility or resentment

flabbergast

v. to overcome with astonishment

deadpan

adj. showing no expression

tautology

n. needless repetition of an idea in different words (e.g., "widow woman")

craven

adj. cowardly; contemptibly timid

proverbial

adj. well-known because widely repeated

quintessence

n. a pure substance or essence of something

extol

v. to praise highly and lavishly

relinquish

v. to surrender or release

jocular

adj. characterized by joking

incarnate

adj. in human form and shape

brood

v. to be deep in thought; to think over moodily and at length

obviate

v. to stop from occuring; to prevent or make unnecessary

linchpin

n. a central element that holds other parts together

flourish

v. to blossom; to grow vigorously; prosper

hubris

adj. excessive pride

tribulation

n. great misery or distress

pliant

adj, easily bent; pliable; adaptable or compliant

comply

v. to yield or act in accordance with requests, conditions, etc.

savor

v. to taste or smell, esp. with pleasure; n. the taste or smell

melee

n. a noisy, confused fight

acrimony

n. bitter, shape hostility in speech or behavior

smug

adj, showing offensive satisfaction with oneself

distort

v. to alter; to change into an unusual form

usurp

v. to take over by force (e.g., property or rights) without legal authority

nihilism

n. a belief that rejects all moral or religious values; the belief that the destruction of political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement

torrent

n. a swift-flowing stream; an uncontrolled outpouring

daunt

v. to make afraid; intimidate

quagmire

n. wet, boggy ground; a difficult situation

bilk

v. to swindle; to cheat

fitful

adj, occurring in irregular outbursts; occurring in spurts

conspicuous

adj. easy to notice; obvious; apparent

advent

n. a coming or an arrival, esp. of something very important

trifle

n. something that lacks significance or worth

articulate

adj, able to express oneself clearly and effectively

infer

v. to reason or conclude from evidence

exact

v. to demand and obtain by force or authority

grandiloquent

adj, using excessively fancy or pompous words

speculate

v. to think about the various aspects of a subject, especially so as to make a prediction

cachet

n. a mark of distinction

extenuate

v. to lessen the seriousness of, esp. by giving partial excuses

manifesto

n. a public declaration of principles, often political

bequeath

v. to pass down to; to hand down, esp. in a will

plenitude

n. fullness in quantity or degree; the state of being full or complete

latent

adj. present but hidden; dormant

mollify

v. to soothe the temper; pacify; appease

disaffected

adj. resentful and rebellious, esp. against authority

perfidious

adj, marked by extreme treachery

deprecate

v. to express disapproval of

erstwhile

adj. former; of an earlier time

effigy

n. a representation of a person or group used esp. to demonstrate hatred

educe

v. to draw out; elicit

precarious

adj. dangerously insecure or unstable

gainsay

v. to deny; declare false

credulous

adj. tending to believe too easily

loath

adj, unwilling, reluctant

odious

adj. arousing strong dislike or disgust

distraught

adj. anxious or agitated

intransigent

adj, refusing to compromise or agree

assess

v. to estimate

adroit

adj. naturally skillful, esp. dealing with difficult circumstances

dilatory

adj. characterized by delay; tardy

cupidity

n, strong desire for wealth; greed

fraught

adj. full of a particular quality

abide

v. to tolerate

deadlock

n. a tie; a standstill

auspicious

adj. marked by favorable circumstances

demote

v. to reduce to lower in rank

officious

adj. interfering; trying to give unwanted advice

prestige

n. fame or importance based on reputation or acheivements

autonomy

n. independence; self-government

colloquy

n. conversation, esp. a formal one

cataclysm

n. a disastrous event, usually one that brings about great change

chasten

v. to correct by punishment or criticism; to restrain

stifle

v. to suffocate or smother

beckon

v. to signal or summon, as by nodding or waving

wield

v. to handle; to exert

rapport

n. concord; trustful relationship; harmony

predicament

n. a troublesome or embarrassing situation

malign

v. to talk badly of something or someone

squabble

n. a noisy argument, esp. over an unimportant matter

circumlocution

n. an indirect or wordy way of expressing an idea

overt

adj. open; not hidden

quandary

n. a state of uncertainty, esp. about what course of action to take

awry

adv. away from the correct course; wrong; deviant

plastic

adj. capable of being shaped or molded; easily influenced

badger

v. to nag

comport

v. to conduct or behave oneself; to be compatible in agreement with

confer

v. to consult; to present as a gift or honor

attenuate

v. to make thin; to reduce in force

estrange

v. to make hostile or indifferent, usu., between two persons

mordant

adj. bitingly sarcastic

gourmand

n. a glutton; one who delights in eating well

synergy

n. the interaction of two or more things where the combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects

best

v. to defeat

omniscient

adj. all-knowing

genial

adj. cheerful; friendly

appropriate

v. to set apart for a specific use; to take possession of, often without permission

lapse

v. to decline from a previous level or standard; to come to an end

indolent

adj. lazy

iniquity

n. extreme immorailty or injustice; wickedness

edification

n. intellectual or moral improvement; enlightenment

meticulous

adj. extremely or excessively careful about details; finicky

eccentric

adj. unconventional; odd

insurrection

n. a rebellion

forestall

v. to prevent or delay beforehand

gait

n. manner of moving on foot; rate or manner or proceeding

pedestrian

adj. done on foot; ordinary; commonplace

indelible

adj. incapable of being removed or erased

perplex

v. to puzzle, confuse, or bewilder

apotheosis

n. the ideal example; the elevation of a person to the rank of a god

diatribe

n. prolonged and bitter speech or writing

terse

adj. without unnecessary words; succinct

qualify

v. to modify, limit, or restrict, as by giving exceptions

mendacious

adj. lying; false, esp. habitually

frivolous

adj. of little importance

jovial

adj. full of hearty, playful good humor

refute

v. to disprove

brusque

adj. abrupt and curt of manner

abash

v. to embarrass

grovel

v. to beg; to lower oneself to please another

volatile

adj. tending to vary widely; unstable; quickly evaporating

encrypt

v. to put into code

treatise

n. a formal piece of writing, usually long, on a particular subject

deity

n. a god

sanctify

v. to make holy; to make legitimate or binding

factitious

adj. produced artificially; not genuine

dreary

adj. depressing and boring

leviathan

n. something enormous and powerful; a sea monster

gingerly

adv. very carefully; cautiously

vulgar

adj. lacking refinement or taste; crude

hibernate

v. sleep throughout the winter

forbear

v. to be patient or avoid doing

avant-garde

n. a group active in inventing and applying new techniques, esp. in the arts

facade

n. outward behavior; the face of a building

occasion

v. to cause; to provide an appropriate opportunity for

impostor

n. a person using a false identity

chronicle

n. a recording of events in order of time

carnage

n. massacre; slaughter; bloodshed

verbose

adj. wordy

suave

adj. effortlessly smooth and courteous in social situations

bombast

n. pompous speech

volition

n. a conscious choice or decision

propound

v. to suggest for consideration; to propose

dormant

adj. inactive, but capable of being active

retrench

v. to reduce, esp. expenses

philistine

n. a narrow-minded person with no interest in the arts

prolix

adj. wordy and tedious

malapropism

n. a ridiculous misuse of words

valor

n. marked courage or bravery

soporific

adj. promoting sleep

condescend

v. to lower oneself to a less formal or less dignified level

sprightly

adj. lively; animated; energetic

pretext

n. an excuse; a strategy intended to conceal something

impeccable

adj. flawless

supplicate

v. to request with great humility, as though by praying

ravenous

adj. very hungry

escapade

n. a reckless adventure

abstemious

adj. moderate, especially in eating and drinking

encore

n. again, once more; a second performance; an audience's call for a second performance

flounder

v. to proceed with clumsiness and confusion

marshal

v. to arrange in order

timbre

n. the distinguishing quality of a sound

dross

n. impurities formed on the surface of metals during melting; worthless, commonplace or trivial material

charlatan

n. a fake; one who pretends to have expert knowledge

misogyny

n. hatred of women

putative

adj. put forth or accepted as true on inadequate grounds; supposed

gnarled

adj. twisted; knotty

remiss

adj. careless in, or negligent about, attending to a task

nostalgia

n. a general longing for the past or to return home

threadbare

adj. old and worn out

impinge

v. to have an effect on something, esp. a negative one; to enroach

masquearde

v. to wear a disguige; to put on a false appearance

anthropocentric

adj. interpreting everything in terms of human experience and values

premises

n.land and the buildings that are on it

arbitrate

v. to settle a dispute or a fight between two parties

bliss

n. perfect happiness

declaim

v. to recite a speech, poem etc; to announce formally

loathe

v. to dislike something greatly

chronic

adj. continuing for a long time; recurrent

grave

adj. serious; dignified; formal

obfuscate

v. to make diffucult to understand; to make indistinct

clemency

n. mercy, or leniency towards an offender

myraid

n. an indifinitely large number

subside

v. to settle down

tome

n. a large, orten scholarly book

androgynous

adj. having both male female characteristics

sheer

adj. transparently thin; complete, unmixed; nearly vertical

divulge

v. to reveal or make known

apocryphal

adj. probably untrue or true; of questionable authorship

discord

n. conflict or disargeement

seminal

adj. original and inspiring further similarefforts

cavalcade

n. an order of events; a procession

accelerate

v. to increase speed

lexicographer

n. a person who writes or compiles dictionaries

mot juste

n. exactly the right word or expression

compunction

n. a feeling uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt

appall

v. to horrify

rhetoric

n. persuasive or artful use of language

bustle

n. energetic, often noisy, activity; a stir; v. to move about energetically

scrupulous

adj. conscientious and exact; having principles

trivial

adj. of little worth or importance

miser

n. a greedy person who hoards money, even at the expense of personal discomfort

augment

v. to make greater, in size, extent, or quantity

axiom

n. premise; true statement; a saying

sequester

v. to move or set apart; to quarantine

sedate

adj. calm; quiet

assuage

v. to lessen pain or distress

bask

v. to enjoy a warm or pleasant feeling

tendentious

adj. having a bias; favoring a cause (usually in print)

decipher

v. to read or interpret something confusing or illegible; to convert from a code

hymn

n. a religious song; a song of praise

felicitous

adj. well chosen; appropriate

wry

adj. dryly humorous, with a touch of irony

gape

v. to open wide; to stare with the mouth open

android

n. an automaton that resembles a human being

conventional

adj. following ordinary practice; unoriginal

stricture

n. a restraint or limit

turgid

adj. swollen, as from fluid; excessively ornate or complex in style

philander

n. of a man, to engage in sexual affairs, esp. casually

formidable

adj. inspiring fear or dread

malignant

adj. very harmful; threatening death; cancerous (of a tumor)

encumber

v. to burden or weigh down

suffrage

n. the right to vote

fictitious

adj. not real; false

ruse

n. an action or device intended to deceive

prosperity

n. wealth; good fortune

incapacitate

adj. to make unable to function in normal activities; disable

decapitate

v. to cut off the head

eerie

adj. causing inexplicable fear for uneasiness, oft. because of an apparently supernatural origin

discursive

adj. covering a wide range of subjects; rambling

prevail

v. to triumph over; to be or become most common

ingratiate

v. to bring oneself into another's favor or good graces by conscious effort

hoodwink

v. to deceive; to mislead

chasm

n. a large gap

nexus

n. a connection or intersection

denigrate

v. to disgrace a reputation; to blacken; to belittle

cache

n. a hiding place for storage of provisions or valuables

reimburse

v. to repay

stymie

v. to obstruct; to stump

uproarious

adj. extremely funny

encompass

v. to surround; to include

modicum

n. a small quantity

unconscionable

adj. beyond reason; not restrained by conscience

procrustean

adj. showing merciless disregard for individual differences or special circumstances

serendipity

n. unexpected gift or discovery

callow

adj. inexperienced; not developed; immature

balm

n. anything healing or soothing

tarry

v. to delay; to linger

detract

v. to take away a desirable part; to diminish

rectify

v. to set right; to correct

aggravate

v. to worsen

cavil

v. to argue in a petty fashion; make trifling objections

traverse

v. to travel over or through

thespian

adj. relating to drama; n. an actor

medium

n. a method or way of expressing something

quizzical

adj. puzzled, questioning

dexterous

adj. skillful with the hands or mind

philology

n. literary study, esp. as it involves the editing of texts and the history of languages

cacophony

n. a harsh, jarring sound

consternation

n. a sudden feeling of anxiety, shock, or confusion

veneer

n. an attractive, ultimately misleading outward show; thin layer

salacious

adj. lustful; obscene

nemesis

n. one who inflicts justified or great punishment; a source of harm or ruin

pastiche

n. something (esp. a work of art, literature, or music) created from many different sources

dismay

v. to destroy courage or resolution; to cause to lose enthusiasm, to disillusion

chastise

v. to punish by beating; to scold or condemn sharply

forgery

n. something counterfeit; an illegally produced imitation

fatalistic

adj. believing that all events are predestined and unavoidable

exert

v. to bring forth or bring to bear

pretentious

n. claiming dignity or importance, esp. when undeserved

impale

v. to pierce with something sharp; to make helpless

prevaricate

n. to avoid telling the truth

corpulent

adj. very fat; obese

dais

n. to raised platform

blatant

adj. offensively obvious; unpleasantly noisy

limpid

adj. perfectly clear; tranparent

anthropomorphism

n. the attribution of human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects

livid

discolored, as from bruise; pale, ashen; extremely angry

trite

adj. worn out, used too often

impassive

adj. not feeling emotion; not showing emotion

cogent

adj. appealing forcibly to the mind; convincing

sate

v. to satisfy (any appetite or desire) fully

disingenuous

adj. not straightforward or candid; crafty

caricature

n. a drawing or description that ridiculously exaggerates features

oligarchy

n. a government in which only few people have power

servile

adj. slavish; abjectly submissive

err

v. to make a mistake

fallacy

n. a false notion, esp. one based on incorrect reasoning

steadfast

adj. loyal; faithful

welter

n. a confused mass or jumble

evince

v. to give outward evidence of; to display clearly

prognosis

n. the anticipated progress of recovery

enunciation

n. clear pronunciation; articulation

virtuoso

n. one with great skill, esp. in music or the arts

subsist

v. to maintain life

whet

v. to sharpen; to make keen

venomous

adj. malignant; spiteful; secreting poison

fop

n. a man who is preoccupied with his clothes and manners

keen

adj. having a sharp edge; perceptive

meretricious

adj. attracting attention in a vulgar way

exhort

v. to urge strongly

facsimile

n. an exact copy

tenure

n. holding or possession of an office or property; guaranteed permanent emplyment, esp. as a teacher

abject

adj. of the lowest degree, brought low in condition

winsome

adj. charming, esp. in a childlike or innocent way

allay

v. to reduce the intensity of; to calm

eponym

n. a person after whom a place, people, disease, etc. is named

secular

adj. not religious, worldly

ample

adj. enough, or more than enough; plentiful

vehement

adj. forceful; furious

plucky

adj. showing courage in unfavorable circumstances

hodgepodge

adj. mixture; combination

synopsis

n. a short summary that outlines the main points of something

antidote

n. a cure for a disease or poison

hover

v. to float as if suspended; to be in a state of uncertainty

munificent

adj. generous

refuge

n. a shelter or sanctuary

prudent

adj. marked by careful planning; discreet

misanthrope

n. one who hates or mistrusts mankind

opulence

n. extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance

oasis

n. a fertile place in a desert due to the presence of water; any place or thing offering relief from difficulty or dullness

optimum

adj. the most favorable point or condition

austere

adj. stern or severe in appearance; without luxury

galvanize

v. to rouse; stir; spur

ebullient

adj. in high spirits; boiling or seeming to boil

flux

n. flow; continuous change or movement

succumb

v. to give in or yield

turbid

adj. cloudy, muddy; in a state of turmoil

lycanthrope

n. a werewolf

averse

adj. opposed, relutant; repelled

liberal

adj. generous; giving freely

peruse

v. to read carefully

obligatory

adj. legally or morally required

increment

n. an increase in quantity; v. to increase

cadence

n. a rhythmic beat

antithesis

n. a direct contrast; opposition

grimace

n. a facial expression that shows disapproval or pain; v. to make such an expression

coherent

adj. logically consistent and orderly

glower

v. to frown; to glare with anger

pungent

adj. sharp to the smell or taste

cursory

adj. superficially done; performed rapidly

derogatory

adj. belittling; tending to diminsh

complicity

n. association or participation in a wrongful act

prim

adj. overly proper; precise to the point of affection; prudish

seemly

adj. proper or fitting with respect to established customs

brandish

v. to display with menace

carp

v. to complain; to seek fault, esp. over unimportant matters

repast

n. a meal

trepidation

n. strong fear or dread marked by trembling or hesitancy

admonish

v. to warn so a fault can be corrected or a danger avoided

impetus

n. an impelling or originating force

rescind

v. to take back or cancel

miasma

n. a noxious or poisonous atmosphere

tortuous

adj. winding, twisted

baroque

adj. fantastically over-decorated; gaudily ornate

propriety

n. good manners; proper behavior

sacrosanct

adj. very sacred, holy, or inviolable

quaff

v. to drink quickly or with enthusiasm

prostrate

adj. lying face down, esp. as asign of humility or worship; physically or emotional exhausted

flashcard

terms list