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126 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
QUAILED
To feel or show fear; to want to be able to move away from something because you fear it
CLANDESTINE
Planned or done in secret, especially describing something that is not officially allowed
CONGEALED
To change from a liquid or soft state to a thick or solid state
WINCED
To show pain suddenly and for a short time in the face, often moving the head back at the same time
Did I hurt you? - I thought I saw you wince.
SUBTLE
Not loud, bright, noticeable or obvious in any way.

The room was painted a subtle shade of pink.
SUBTLETY
A small but important detail.

All the subtleties of the music are conveyed in this new recording.
PREREQUISITE
Something which must exist or happen before something else can exist or happen.

Passing a written exam is a prerequisite for taking the advanced course.
FROWNED
To bring your eyebrows together so that there are lines on your face above your eyes to show that you are annoyed or worried
MUMBLED
To speak quietly and in a way that is not clear so that the words are difficult to understand.

She mumbled something about being too busy.
HERCULEAN
Needing great strength and determination.

She faces the herculean task of bringing up four children single-handedly
ANTICLIMAX
an event or experience which causes disappointment because it is less exciting than was expected or because it happens immediately after a much more interesting or exciting event
INTERLACED
To join different parts, zigzag or fitting them together to make a whole.
In her latest book, she interlaces historical events with her own childhood memories.
TOWING
To pull a car, boat, etc. along, using a rope or a chain tied to another vehicle or boat.

The damaged boat was towed to safety.
HUFFED
To say something in an annoyed or offended way.

Well if that's how you feel, I'll go, “she huffed.
SULLEN
Angry and unwilling to smile or be pleasant to people.

His daughters stared back at him with an expression of sullen resentment.
EXACERBATED
To make something which is already bad worse?

This attack will exacerbate the already tense relations between the two communities.
STIFLED
To (cause to) be unable to breathe because you have no air.
He is said to have stifled his victim with a pillow.
We almost stifled in the heat of the city.
CURFEW
A rule that everyone must stay at home between particular times, usually at night, especially during a war or a period of political trouble.

A midnight curfew.
GROWLED
to make a low rough sound, usually in anger
The dog growled at her and snapped at her ankles.

"Not now, I'm busy,” he growled.
INTENTLY
Giving all your attention to something.

She had an intent look on her face.
PENSIVELY
Thinking in a quiet way, often with a serious expression on your face.

She became withdrawn and pensive, hardly speaking to anyone.
SNORTING
to make an explosive sound by forcing air quickly up or down the nose.

He did an impression of a horse snorting.
Camille snorts when she laughs.
SEMESTER
one of the periods into which a year is divided at a college or university, especially in the US and Australia.

the first/second semester
INSISTED
to state or demand forcefully, especially despite opposition.

Greg still insists (that) he did nothing wrong.
Please go first - I insist!
UNCANNY/UNCANNILY
strange or mysterious; difficult or impossible to explain

an uncanny resemblance
TENATIVELY
If you do or say something tentatively, you do or say it in an uncertain way.

I have made tentative plans to take a trip to Seattle in July.
JOLT
to (cause something or someone to) move suddenly and violently

The train stopped unexpectedly and we were jolted forwards.
REVULSION
a strong, often sudden, feeling that something is extremely unpleasant.

I turned away in revulsion when they showed a close-up of the
ABRUPTLY
describes something that is sudden and unexpected, and often unpleasant.

Our conversation came to an abrupt end when George burst into the room.
NEOPHYTE
someone who has recently become involved in an activity and is still learning about it
MOURNING
a loud crying that people in some countries make when someone dies

The mourning could be heard all day and all night.
LINOLEUM
a stiff smooth material that is used for covering floors
FORMAL
public or official

formal procedures
a formal announcement

in appearance or by name only
CURTLY
If someone's manner or speech is curt, it is rude as a result of being very quick

to give a curt nod/reply
The boss was rather curt with him.
ANTIQUITY
the distant past (= a long time ago), especially before the sixth century
CRADLE
a small bed for a baby, especially one that swings from side to side

The nurse rocked the cradle.
Coherence
when the parts of something fit together in a natural or sensible way

There was no coherence between the first and the second half of the film.
MALIGNANT
describes a disease or a growth that is likely to get uncontrollably worse and lead to death.

The process by which malignant cancer cells multiply isn't fully understood.
ASSUMPTION
something that you accept as true without question or proof.

People tend to make assumptions about you when you have a disability.
MOTION
the act or process of moving, or a particular action or movement.

The violent motion of the ship upset his stomach.
SCOFFED
to laugh and speak about a person or idea in a way which shows that you think they are stupid or silly.

The critics scoffed at his paintings.
CONTEMPLATING
to spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious and quiet way

I'm contemplating going abroad for a year.
SANITY
the state of having a healthy mind and not being mentally ill, or showing good judgment and understanding.

He'd been behaving so strangely that they began to doubt/question his sanity.
DISTORTED
changed from the usual, original, natural or intended form

This report gives a somewhat distorted impression of what actually happened.
HESITATED
to pause before you do or say something, often because you are uncertain or nervous about it.

She hesitated slightly before answering the inspector's question.
WARY/WARILY
not completely trusting or certain about something or someone.

I'm a bit wary of/about giving people my address when I don't know them very well.
CONSCIOUS
To notice that a particular thing or person exists or is present.

The tooth doesn't exactly hurt, but I'm conscious of it (= I can feel it) all the time.
UTTERLY
complete or extreme
utter confusion/misery/chaos
utter nonsense/rubbish/drivel

The meeting was a complete and utter waste of time.
BLUFFED
to deceive someone by making them think either that you are going to do something when you really have no intention of doing it, or that you have knowledge that you do not really have, or that you are someone else
REVERIE
(a state of having) pleasant dream-like thoughts
He was lost in reverie until he suddenly heard someone behind him.
BUOYANT
Able to float

Cork is light and buoyant.
PERCEPTIBLE
that can be seen, heard or noticed

There was a barely perceptible movement in his right arm.
NAUSEA
when you feel as if you are going to vomit

Signs of the illness include fever, nausea and vomiting.
FRANTIC
almost out of control because of extreme emotion, such as worry.

Where on Earth have you been? We've been frantic with worry.
SCRUITINIZING
to examine something very carefully in order to discover information.

He scrutinized the men's faces carefully/closely, trying to work out who was lying.
MUSE
to think about something carefully and for a long time
I began to muse about/on the possibility of starting my own business.
GRANDIOSE
larger and containing more detail than necessary, or intended to seem important or splendid
grandiose plans/schemes/ideas for making money
GRIMACED
to make an expression of pain, strong dislike, etc. in which the face twists in an ugly way
PERSISTED
to try to do or continue doing something in a determined but often unreasonable way.

If he persists in asking awkward questions, then send him to the boss.
REPRESS
to not allow something, especially feelings, to be expressed

He repressed a sudden desire to cry.
GRATIFYING
pleasing and satisfying
It must be very gratifying to see all your children grown up and happy.
YANKED
to pull something forcefully with a quick movement
He tripped over the wire and yanked the plug out.
To suddenly remove someone
MYSTIFY
To confuse someone by being or doing something very strange or impossible to explain
ABSCENT-MINDED
describes someone who often forgets things or does not pay attention to what is happening near them because they are thinking about other things
DISGRUNTLED
unhappy, annoyed and disappointed about something

A disgruntled former employee is being blamed for the explosion.
ASSENTED
to agree to or give official approval to something

Have they assented to the terms of the contract?
LOUNGE
to spend your time in a relaxed way, sitting or lying somewhere and doing very little

We spent our days lounging around the pool.
DECREPIT
in very bad condition because of being old, or not having been cared for, or having been used a lot

Most of the buildings were old and decrepit.
STACCATO
describes a noise or way of speaking that consists of a series of short and separate sounds

She gave staccato replies to every question.
WITTY
using words in a clever and funny way
a witty comment/remark
PLAIT
to join three or more pieces of hair or string-like material by putting them over each other in a special pattern
RIGIDLY
stiff or fixed; not able to be bent, moved, changed or persuaded

a rigid steel and concrete structure
I was rigid with (= stiff and unable to move because of) fear.
CROOKEDLY
not forming a straight line; having many sharp bends

You have to drive slowly on these crooked country roads.
HUMMING
to make a continuous low sound.

The computers were humming in the background.
CONDESCENDING
treating someone as if you are better or more important than them

I hate the way he's so condescending to his staff!
CORNUCOPIA
a large amount of something; a great supply

The table held a veritable cornucopia of every kind of food or drink you could want.
BARELY
by the smallest amount; almost not
They have barely enough (= no more than what is needed) to pay the rent this month.
PROMPTLY
quickly, without delay, or at the arranged time.

We'll have to leave fairly promptly (= on time) if we want to catch that train.
SCOLD
to tell off someone because you disapprove of their behaviour
His mother scolded him for breaking her favourite vase.
FAUX
not real, but made to look or seem real; false
faux fur
IRONIC
interesting, strange or funny because of being very different from what you would usually expect
VERITABLE
used to describe something as another, more exciting, interesting or unusual thing, as a way of emphasizing its character
LIBERATED
not following traditional ways of behaving or old ideas
GASPED
To take a short quick breath through the mouth, especially because of surprise.
MUTTERED
to speak quietly and in a low voice that is not easy to hear, often when you are worried or complaining about something.

Stop muttering and speak up!
CUSTODY
the legal right or duty to care for someone or something, especially a child after its parents have separated or died

The court awarded/granted/gave custody of the child to the father.
SLOGGED
to work hard over a long period, especially doing work that is difficult or boring.

I've been slogging away for days on this essay and I'm still not finished.

to travel or move with difficulty, for example through wet, sticky soil or snow, or when you are very tired
HYPERBOLE
a way of speaking or writing that makes someone or something sound bigger, better, more, etc. than they are.

The blurb on the back of the book was full of the usual hyperbole - 'enthralling', 'fascinating' and so on.
CATATONIC
describes someone who is stiff and not moving or reacting, as if dead
VAGUELY
Not clear in shape, or not clearly seen
Through the mist I could just make out a vague figure.
Describes someone who is not able to think clearly, or who, sometimes as a way of hiding what they really think, does not express their opinions clearly.

My aunt is incredibly vague - she can never remember where she's left things.
FLAMBOYANT
very confident in behaviour, or intended to be noticed, especially by being brightly coloured

a flamboyant gesture
The writer's flamboyant lifestyle was well known.
HEAVED
to throw something forcefully, especially something large and heavy
She picked up a great book and heaved it at him.
If something heaves, it makes one or more large movements up and down
As the wind increased, the deck of the ship began to heave beneath his feet.
STUNNED
very shocked or surprised.

They stood in stunned silence beside the bodies.
I am stunned and saddened by this news.
CALCULUS
an area of advanced mathematics in which continuously changing values are studied.
MURMURED
To speak or say very quietly.

"I love you," she murmured.
CHAGRIN
disappointment or anger, especially when caused by a failure or mistake

My children have never shown an interest in music, much to my chagrin.
SPUTTERED
to make several quick explosive sounds.

The car sputtered once or twice and then stopped.
CLENCHED
to close or hold something very tightly, often in a determined or angry way.

The old man clenched his fist and waved it angrily at us.
WITHERING
to close or hold something very tightly, often in a determined or angry way.

Lizzie had been drunk at the time and I saw her shoot him a withering glance.
STALKED
If something unpleasant stalks a place, it appears there in a threatening way.

When night falls, danger stalks the streets of the city.
GLOWER
to look very angry, annoyed or threatening.

There's no point glowering at me like that - you know the rules.
INTERCEDE
to use your influence to persuade someone in authority to save someone else from punishment or to obtain forgiveness for this person.

Several religious leaders have interceded with the authorities on behalf of the condemned prisoner.
SERENE
peaceful and calm; worried by nothing.
She has a lovely serene face.
GRIT
to put small stones on a road or path which is covered in ice, in order to make it safer
GLUMLY
disappointed or unhappy, and quiet.

You look glum. What's up?
He's very glum about the company's prospects.
WILLING
To be happy to do something if it is needed.

If you're willing to fly at night, you can get a much cheaper ticket.

describes someone who does their work energetically and enthusiastically
a willing helper
CRINGE
to suddenly move away from someone or something because you are frightened
PATRONIZING
speaking or behaving towards someone as if they are stupid or not important

It's that patronizing tone of hers that I can't bear.
SLUMPED
having your head low and shoulders forward.

He sat slumped over his desk, the picture of misery.
SHUDDERED
to shake suddenly with very small movements because of a very unpleasant thought or feeling.

The sight of so much blood made him shudder.
WARPED
strange and unpleasant.

I suppose I shouldn't be laughing about death - perhaps I've got a warped mind/sense of humour!
PERIPHERAL
describes something that is not as important as something else.

The book contains a great deal of peripheral detail.

happening at the edge of something
A figure came into my peripheral vision.
MINGLE
to mix or combine, or be mixed or combined.

The excitement of starting a new job is always mingled with a certain apprehension.

The two flavours mingle well.
STONY
describes ground that contains a lot of stones.

The island has several small stony beaches which are usually deserted.
DISORIENTATE
to make someone confused about where they are and where they are going
INSIGHTFUL
(the ability to have) a clear, deep and sometimes sudden understanding of a complicated problem or situation.

It was an interesting book, full of fascinating insights into human relationships.
AMBLED
to walk in a slow and relaxed way

He was ambling along the beach.
She ambled down the street, stopping occasionally to look in the shop windows.
FLUTTER
to make a series of quick delicate movements up and down or from side to side, or to cause something to do this.

Brightly coloured flags were fluttering in the breeze.
Leaves fluttered down onto the path.
Butterflies fluttered about in the
GESTURED
to use a gesture to express or emphasize something.

When he asked where the children were, she gestured vaguely in the direction of the beach.
He made no answer but walked on, gesturing for me to follow.
TRIVIALIZE
to make something seem less important than it really is.

I don't want to trivialise the problem, but I do think there are more important matters to discuss.
POUNCED
to jump or move quickly in order to catch or take hold of something.

The cat sat in the tree ready to pounce on the ducks below.
The police were waiting to pounce when he arrived at the airport.
SHRILL
having a loud and high sound that is unpleasant or painful to listen to
She had a shrill high-pitched voice.

describes a way of arguing or criticizing that seems too forceful
He launched a shrill attack on the Prime Minister.
HOSPITABLE
friendly and welcoming to guests and visitors.

The villagers were very hospitable to/towards anyone who passed through.
HUSKY
(of a person's voice) low and rough, often in an attractive way, or because of illness.

She's got a nice husky voice - very sexy.
You sound husky - do you have a cold?
PREOCCUPIED
thinking or worrying about something too much.

She's been very preoccupied recently because her mother has been very ill.
Why is the media so preoccupied with the love lives of politicians?
CONVERSION
when someone or something is converted from one thing to another.

Her conversion to Buddhism/Islam was a very gradual process.
He used to be very right-wing, but he's undergone something of a conversion recently.