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59 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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adjunct
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something added to help or assist, assistant or helper
Syn: associate, addition, accessory |
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bellwether
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leader, desperate or violent undertaking, indicator of
Syn: ringleader, initiator, barometer |
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chimerical
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absurd, impossible
Syn: fanciful, visionary, quixotic, pie-in-the-sky |
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effete
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lack vigor or energy, worn-out or exhausted, sterile, out-of-date
Syn: decadent, enfeebled, outmoded |
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hierarchy
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system of things arranged by rank, wealth, class, etc.
Syn: chain of command, pecking order |
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morass
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patch of soft ground, swamp, confusing situation, quicksand
Syn: bog, quagmire |
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noisome
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offensive or disgusting, foul-smeliing, harmful
Syn: fetid, noxious, vile, loathsome |
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supine
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lying flat on your back, lethargic, passive
Syn: prone, prostrate, inert |
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aegis
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protection, patronage, sponsorship
Syn: auspices |
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lachrymose
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tears or weeping, mournful
Syn: tearful, doleful, dolorous |
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obfuscate
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to darken, obscure, confuse
Syn: muddy the waters |
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polarize
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two contrasting positions, light to vibrate in patterns
Syn: split, divide, alienate, estrange |
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solecism
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breach of etiquette, misuse of grammar, mistake
Syn: misuage, blunder, faux pas |
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verisimilitude
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appear to be true, real, likely
Syn: realism, lifelikeness, authenticity |
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bibulous
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fond of drinking, absorbent
Syn: inebrious, alcoholic |
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schism
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formal split w/i religious organization, division of group or organization
Syn: rift, breach |
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virtuoso
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person w/ master skill or technique, masterly
Syn: expert, master, prodigy, maestro |
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affinity
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natural attraction to something
Syn: inclination, penchant |
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derring-do
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valor, heroism, daring deeds
Syn: audacity, bravado, pyrotechnics |
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folderol
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foolish talk,ideas,nonsense
Syn: hoopla, gibberish |
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gamut
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entire range or series
Syn:scope, compass, sweep |
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hoi polloi
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common people, the masses
Syn: rank and file |
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ineffable
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too great or scared to be unttered, not expressible in words.
Syn: inexpressible, indescribable |
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lucubration
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laborious study or thought
Syn: burning the midnight oil, deep thought |
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mnemonic
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designed to assist the memory
Syn: reminder, cue |
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aficionado
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enthusiastic, expert follower
Syn: devotee, enthusiast |
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diaphanous
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sheer and light, transparent
Syn: translucent, gossamer |
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emolument
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profit derived from office or position of employment
Syn: pay, wages, compensation |
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genre
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type, class, variety, category
Syn: species, sort, school |
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obsequies
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funeral rites or ceremonies
Syn: last rites, funeral services |
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panache
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confident stylish manner, elaborate colorful display
Syn: style, verve, élan, éclat, flamboyance |
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sacrosanct
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very sacred or holy, immune from questioning or attack
Syn: none |
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dictum
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short saying, authoritative statement
Syn: maxim, precept, aphorism, axiom |
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in medias res
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middle of something
Syn: none |
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maladroit
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lack skill, dexterity, tact, perception, judgement
Syn: inept, awkward, clumsy, gauche |
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maudlin
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excesssively sentimental
Syn: mushy, mawkish |
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prescience
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knowledge of events or actions before they happen
Syn: foreknowledge, foresight |
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salubrious
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good health or well-being, wholesome
Syn: beneficial, healthy, invigorating |
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saturnalian
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riotous, unrestrained revelry
Syn: dissipated, debauched, orgiastic |
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ancillary
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subordinate or supplementary
Syn: auxiliary, subsidiary, accessory |
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bowdlerize
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remove offensive material
Syn: censor, purge, expurgate |
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cozen
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trick, cheat, swindle
Syn: dupe, deceive, beguile, inveigle |
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gratis
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free, w/o charge
Syn: on the house, freely |
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plethora
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superabundance
Syn: surplus, surfeit, glut, excess |
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cataclysm
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sudden, violent upheaval, surging flood
Syn: disaster, catastrophe |
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debauch
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corrupt morally, seduce
Syn: carouse, spree, orgy Ant: elevate, uplift, inspire, purfiy |
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fastidious
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hard to please, careful in regard to details, easily disgusted
Syn: precise, meticulous, exacting, finicky Ant: careless, sloppy, messy, untidy, slovenly |
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gambol
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jump or skip about playfully
Syn: frolic, romp, cavort, caper Ant: lumber, trudge, plod |
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lampoon
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malicious satire, ridicule
Syn: burlesque, parody Ant: compliment, flattery, homage |
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malleable
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capable of being formed into different shapes, or altered
Syn: pliable, impressionable, adaptable |
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refractory
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stubborn, hard or difficult to manage
Syn: unruly, disobedient, willful, mulish Ant: docile, tractable, dutiful, obedient |
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bane
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fatal injury, death, destruction, ruin, poison
Syn: spoiler, bete noire Ant: blessing, comfort, solace, balm |
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cantankerous
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ill-tempered, quarrelsome
Syn: cranky, testy, peevish, irascible, ornery Ant: good-natured, sweet-tempered, genial |
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depredation
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prey upon or plunder
Syn: loot, pillage, outrage |
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empathy
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undestanding of feelings thoughts of another person
Syn: sympathy, compassion Ant: insensitivity, callousness, detachment |
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hedonism
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attainment of pleasure is life's chief aim
Syn: pleasure seeking, sensuality, sybaritism Ant: asceticism, puritanism, self-denial |
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lackluster
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lack brilliance or vitality, dull
Syn: vapid, insipid, drab, flat Ant: brilliant, radiant, dazzling |
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mellifluous
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flow sweetly,smoothy;honeyed
Syn: euphonious, musical Ant: shrill, strident, harsh, grating |
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peccadillo
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minor sin or offense, little fault
Syn: indiscretion Ant: felony, mortal sin, enormity, atrocity |
