English Vocab Xvi

Front 1

unctuous

Back 1

–adjective

1. excessively pious or moralistic, esp. affectedly so; excessively smooth, suave, or smug.

2. of the nature of or characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy.

3. having an oily or soapy feel, as certain minerals

Front 2

tony

Back 2

adj.

high-toned; stylish:

a tony nightclub.

Front 3

snarky

Back 3

adj.

1. Rudely sarcastic; snide.

2. Irritable; irascible.

Front 4

philistine

Back 4

–adjective

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) lacking in or hostile to culture.

2. smugly commonplace or conventional.

3. (initial capital letter) of or belonging to the ancient Philistines.

Front 5

unctuous

Back 5

–adjective

1. characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, esp. in an affected manner;

2. excessively smooth, suave, or smug.

3. oily; greasy.

Front 6

tony

Back 6

adj.

high-toned; stylish:

a tony nightclub.

Front 7

snarky

Back 7

adj.

testy or irritable; short.

Front 8

philistine

Back 8

–adjective

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) lacking in or hostile to culture.

2. smugly commonplace or conventional.

3. (initial capital letter) of or belonging to the ancient Philistines.

Front 9

demiurge

Back 9

–noun
1. A powerful creative force or personality.

2. A public magistrate in some ancient Greek states.

3. Demiurge A deity in Gnosticism, Manichaeism, and other religions who creates the material world and is often viewed as the originator of evil.

4. Demiurge A Platonic deity who orders or fashions the material world out of chaos.

Front 10

riff

Back 10

n.

1. a clever remark

"Those little riffs that had seemed to have such sparkle over drinks ... look all too embarrassing in cold print" (John Richardson).

2. Music: A short rhythmic phrase, (especially one that is repeated in improvisation)

Front 11

limpid

Back 11

–adjective

1. Characterized by transparent clearness; pellucid.
We could see to the very bottom of the limpid pond.

2. free from obscurity; lucid; clear:
a limpid style; limpid prose.

3. calm and untroubled; serene
a limpid, emotionless existence.

Front 12

punny

Back 12

adj.

having, involving, or characteristic of a pun.

Front 13

shaggy

Back 13

adj.

1. Characterized by long, rough, matted hair.

2. untidy; unkempt:
a shaggy person.

3. having a rough nap()

4. characterized by sloppy planning or execution
a shaggy production of Macbeth.

Hint 13

nap: surface texture of cloth

Front 14

perdition

Back 14

–noun
1. spiritual damnation; loss of the soul; the future state of the wicked

2. utter destruction/ruin.

Front 15

negritude

Back 15

noun

the historical, cultural, and social heritage considered common to blacks collectively

Front 16

fete

Back 16

(fāt, fět)

–noun

1. a day of celebration; holiday:
The Fourth of July is a great American fete.

2. a celebration, esp. a religious festival
The ball was the greatest fete of the season.
a fete lasting several days in honor of a saint.

Front 17

spurn

Back 17

verb

1. to reject with disdain; scorn.

2. to treat with contempt; despise.

3. to kick or trample with the foot.

Front 18

bleary

Back 18

adj

1. (of the eyes or sight) blurred, unclear--as from sleep or weariness.

2. fatigued; worn-out.

Front 19

faggy

Back 19

adj.

1. of or resembling a male homosexual.

2. coyly affected.

Front 20

buffet

Back 20

verb (used with object)

1. to strike, esp. repeatedly:
The wind buffeted the house.

2. To force (one's way) with difficulty

Front 21

requiem

Back 21

–noun
1. Roman Catholic Church. Also called Requiem Mass. the Mass celebrated for the repose of the souls of the dead.


2. any musical service, hymn, or dirge for the repose of the dead.

Front 22

frock

Back 22

–noun

1. a dress

2. a loose outer garment worn by peasants and workers
smock.

3. a coarse outer garment with large sleeves, worn by monks.

Front 23

bawl

Back 23

verb


1. To cry or sob loudly; wail.

2. To cry out loudly and vehemently; shout.

Front 24

patter

Back 24

–noun

1. meaningless, rapid talk; gabble; jabber

2. stylized, rehearsed, or glib() talk used to attract attention, entertain, etc.

3. the jargon or cant of any class, group, etc.

Hint 24

glib: adj

thoughtless, superficial, insincere words (spoken or written) that come easily

a glib talker; glib answers.

Front 25

didactic

Back 25

adjective

1. intended for instruction; instructive, esp. morally:
didactic poetry.

2. inclined to teaching/ lecturing too much
a boring, didactic speaker.

3. Didactics: (used with a singular verb) the art or science of teaching.

Front 26

wan

Back 26

[won]

–adjective

1. marked by sickly pallor; pallid; lacking color:
His wan face suddenly flushed.

2. suggesting sickness, fatigue, unhappiness
a wan look; a wan smile.

3. Weak, incompetent, inefffective
their wan attempts to organize the alumni.

Front 27

treacle

Back 27

(trē'kəl)

–noun

Contrived or excessive sentimentality:
a movie plot of the most shameless treacle

Front 28

coy

Back 28

adj

1. Tending to avoid people and social situations; reserved.

2. Affectedly shy or modest.

3. Annoyingly unwilling to make a commitment.

Front 29

coquette

Back 29

noun

a woman who flirts lightheartedly with men to win their admiration and affection; flirt.

Front 30

artful

Back 30

adj.

1. slyly crafty or cunning; deceitful; tricky:
artful schemes.

2. skillful in adapting means to ends; ingenious:
an artful choice of metaphors and similes.

3. Exhibiting art or skill:
artful acting;
artful repairs.