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45 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
risible
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laughable
or associated with, relating to, or used in laughter <risible muscles> |
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gambol
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v. to skip about in play
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isouciant
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adj. lighthearted unconcern
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mot juste
(mo juste) |
n. exactly the right word or expression
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maudlin
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adj.
1. drunk enough to be emotionally silly 2. weakly and effusively sentimental |
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ecumenical
(ek-you-menical) |
worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application
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chimerical
(ky-merical) |
adj.
1 : existing only as the product of unchecked imagination : fantastically visionary or improbable 2 : given to fantastic schemes |
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sub-rosa
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adj. secretive, private
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lagniappe
(lanyap) |
n. a small gift given a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase; broadly : something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure
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noisome
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1 : NOXIOUS, HARMFUL
2 a : offensive to the senses and especially to the sense of smell b : highly obnoxious or objectionable |
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bane
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a source of harm or ruin : CURSE
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in medias res
(in medias race) |
adv. in or into the middle of a narrative or plot
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touchstone
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n.
1 : a black siliceous stone related to flint and formerly used to test the purity of gold and silver by the streak left on the stone when rubbed by the metal 2 : a test or criterion for determining the quality or genuineness of a thing 3 : a fundamental or quintessential part or feature |
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diaphanous
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adj. 1 : characterized by such fineness of texture as to permit seeing through
2 : characterized by extreme delicacy of form : ETHEREAL <painted diaphanous landscapes> 3 : INSUBSTANTIAL, VAGUE <had only a diaphanous hope of success> |
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philippic
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a discourse or declamation full of bitter condemnation
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waggish
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1 : resembling or characteristic of a wag <a waggish friend> <a waggish prose style>
2 : done or made in waggery or for sport : HUMOROUS |
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apropos
(apro-po) |
1 : at an opportune time : SEASONABLY
2 : by way of interjection or further comment: with regard to the present topic |
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quixotic
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1 : foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals; especially : marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action
2 : CAPRICIOUS, UNPREDICTABLE |
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ineluctable
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not to be avoided, changed, or resisted : INEVITABLE
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apocryphal
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1 : of doubtful authenticity : SPURIOUS
2 often capitalized : of or resembling the Apocrypha |
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spurious
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1 : of illegitimate birth : BASTARD
2 : outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine qualities : FALSE 3 a : of falsified or erroneously attributed origin : FORGED b : of a deceitful nature or quality |
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mellifluous
(mel-iflous) |
1 : having a smooth rich flow <a mellifluous voice>
2 : filled with something (as honey) that sweetens |
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malleable
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1 : capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer or by the pressure of rollers
2 a : capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or influences b : having a capacity for adaptive change |
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adjunct
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1 : something joined or added to another thing but not essentially a part of it
2 a : a word or word group that qualifies or completes the meaning of another word or other words and is not itself a main structural element in its sentence b : an adverb or adverbial (as heartily in "Most children eat heartily" or at noon in "We will leave at noon") attached to the verb of a clause especially to express a relation of time, place, frequency, degree, or manner -- compare DISJUNCT 2 3 : an associate or assistant of another |
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bellwether
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one that takes the lead or initiative : LEADER; also : an indicator of trends
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caterwaul
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1 : to make a harsh cry
2 : to quarrel noisily |
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effete
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1 : no longer fertile
2 a : having lost character, vitality, or strength <the effete monarchies ... of feudal Europe -- G. M. Trevelyan> b : marked by weakness or decadence <the effete East> c : soft or delicate from or as if from a pampered existence <peddled ... trendy tweeds to effete Easterners -- William Helmer> <effete tenderfeet>; also : characteristic of an effete person <a wool scarf ... a bit effete on an outdoorsman -- Nelson Bryant> 3 : EFFEMINATE 1 <a good-humored, effete boy brought up by maiden aunts -- Herman Wouk> |
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fait accompli
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a thing accomplished and presumably irreversible
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hidebound
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adj.
1 of a domestic animal : having a dry skin lacking in pliancy and adhering closely to the underlying flesh 2 : having an inflexible or ultraconservative character |
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liturgy
(litter-g) |
1 often capitalized : a eucharistic rite
2 : a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship 3 : a customary repertoire of ideas, phrases, or observances |
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morass
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1 : MARSH, SWAMP
2 : something that traps, confuses, or impedes <a morass of troubles> |
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poltroon
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n. coward i.e. characterized by complete cowardice
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proselyte
(pross-uh-lite) |
a new convert; specifically : a convert to Judaism
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raillery
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1 : good-natured ridicule : BANTER
2 : JEST |
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ribald
(rib-ald) |
1 : CRUDE, OFFENSIVE <ribald language>
2 : characterized by or using coarse indecent humor |
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supine
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1 a : lying on the back or with the face upward b : marked by supination
2 : exhibiting indolent or apathetic inertia or passivity; especially : mentally or morally slack 3 archaic : leaning or sloping backward |
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vignette
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1 : a running ornament (as of vine leaves, tendrils, and grapes) put on or just before a title page or at the beginning or end of a chapter; also : a small decorative design or picture so placed
2 a : a picture (as an engraving or photograph) that shades off gradually into the surrounding paper b : the pictorial part of a postage stamp design as distinguished from the frame and lettering 3 a : a short descriptive literary sketch b : a brief incident or scene (as in a play or movie) |
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aegis
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1 : a shield or breastplate emblematic of majesty that was associated with Zeus and Athena
2 a : PROTECTION <under the aegis of the constitution> b : controlling or conditioning influence <many American mothers, under the aegis of benevolent permissiveness ... actually neglect their children -- Time> 3 a : AUSPICES, SPONSORSHIP <under the aegis of the museum> b : control or guidance especially by an individual, group, or system <acted under the court's aegis> |
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apprise
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: to give notice to : TELL
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claque
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1 : a group hired to applaud at a performance
2 : a group of sycophants |
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deracinate
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uproot
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eleemosynary
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of, relating to, or supported by charity
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lachrymose
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1 : given to tears or weeping : TEARFUL
2 : tending to cause tears : MOURNFUL |
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obfuscate
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1 a : DARKEN b : to make obscure
2 : CONFUSE |
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purview
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1 a : the body or enacting part of a statute b : the limit, purpose, or scope of a statute
2 : the range or limit of authority, competence, responsibility, concern, or intention 3 : range of vision, understanding, or cognizance |