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177 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
Moonlit
able to be seen because of the light of the moon

a bright moonlit night
Haemorrhage
a large flow of blood from a damaged blood vessel
a brain haemorrhage.

A sudden or serious loss
The higher salaries paid overseas have caused a haemorrhage of talent from this country.
Blissful
extremely or completely happy.

a blissful childhood/holiday
We spent a blissful year together before things started to go wrong.
Libation
an amount of alcoholic drink poured out or drunk in honour of a god or a dead relation
A drink of alcohol

Would you care for a libation?
Converse
the converse
the opposite

In the US, you drive on the right hand side of the road, but in Britain the converse applies.
However, the converse of this theory may also be true.
Stowed
to store something.

There's a big cupboard under the stairs for stowing toys.
Audacious
showing a willingness to take risks or offend people.

He described the plan as ambitious and audacious.
an audacious remark/suggestion
Sumptuously
luxurious and showing that you are rich.

The celebrity guests turned up dressed in sumptuous evening gowns.
Pane
a flat piece of glass, used in a window or door

a window pane
Threshold
the floor of an entrance to a building or room
Ornate
having a lot of complicated decoration
a room with an ornate ceiling and gold mirrors.

Language which is ornate contains too many complicated words or phrases
Some students are put off studying his work because of the ornate language of the poetry.
Pale
describes someone's face or skin if it has less colour than usual, for example when they are ill or frightened, or if it has less colour than people generally have
You're looking pale - do you feel ill?

describes light or a colour that is not bright or strong
She wore a pale blue hat.
pale winter sunlight
Accustomed
familiar with something
She quickly became accustomed to his messy ways.
I'm not accustomed to being treated like this.

usual
She performed the task with her accustomed ease.
Allotted
to give (especially a share of something available) for a particular purpose
They allotted everyone a separate desk.

They allotted a separate desk to everyone.
The ministry of culture will be allotted about $6 million less this year.
Three hours have been allotted to/for this task.
Palpable(palpably)
so obvious that it can easily be seen or known, or (of a feeling) so strong that it seems as if it can be touched or physically felt

a palpable effect
Her joy was palpable.
Confounds
to confuse and very much surprise someone, so that they are unable to explain or deal with a situation.

An elderly man from Hull has confounded doctors by recovering after he was officially declared dead.
The singer confounded her critics with a remarkable follow-up album.
Susceptible
easily influenced or harmed by something
She isn't very susceptible to flattery.
These plants are particularly susceptible to frost.

Describes someone who is easily emotionally influenced
They persuade susceptible teenagers to part with their money.
Subjugate
-To defeat people or a country and rule them in a way which allows them no freedom

To treat yourself, your wishes or your beliefs as being less important than other people or their wishes or beliefs
She subjugated herself to her mother's needs.
Journalists must subjugate personal political…
Eschew(ING)
to avoid something intentionally, or to give something up.

We won't have discussions with this group unless they eschew violence.
Thwart(ED)
to stop something from happening or someone from doing something.

My holiday plans have been thwarted by the strike.
Scurry(scurried)
To move quickly, with small short steps.

The mouse scurried across the floor.
The noise of the explosion sent the villagers scurrying back into their homes.
Throng
a crowd or large group of people.

A huge throng had gathered round the speaker.
Demeanour
a way of looking and behaving

There was nothing in his demeanour that suggested he was anxious.
She has the demeanour of a woman who is contented with her life.
Jubilant
feeling or expressing great happiness, especially because of a success

The fans were jubilant at/about/over England's victory.
Mirth
laughter, humour or happiness.

Her impersonations of our teachers were a source of considerable mirth.
Imperceptibly
unable to be noticed or felt because of being very slight.

She heard a faint, almost imperceptible cry.
Imploring
To ask someone to do or not do something in a very sincere, emotional and determined way
She implored her parents not to send her away to school.

To ask for something in a sincere and emotional way
She clasped her hands, and glancing upward, seemed to implore divine assistance.
Prune(D)
to cut off branches from a tree, bush or plant, especially so that it will grow better in future
She spent the afternoon pruning roses.

To reduce something by removing things which are not necessary
Arco has reacted to the loss in revenue by pruning (back) its expansion plans.
Snout
the nose and mouth which stick out from the face of some animals
a pig's snout

A person's nose
George has an enormous snout.
Brisk(ly)
quick, energetic and active.

a brisk walk
He set a brisk pace and we struggled to keep up.
Her tone on the telephone was brisk
Sinister
making you feel that something bad or evil might happen.

The ruined house had a sinister appearance.
A sinister-looking man sat in the corner of the room.
Bellow(ED)
to shout in a loud voice, or (of a cow or large animal) to make a loud, deep sound

"Keep quiet!" the headmaster bellowed across the room.
We could hear the sergeant bellowing commands to his troops.
Defame(DEFAMING)
to damage the reputation of a person or group by saying or writing bad things about them which are not true

Mr Turncock claimed the editorial had defamed him.
Claptrap
silly talk that means nothing and should not be believed.

Don't believe a word of what he says. It's just a load of claptrap.
Dumbbells
a short bar with a weight on each end that you lift up and down to make your arm and shoulder muscles stronger
Recollection
a memory of something
I have many pleasant recollections of the time we spent together.

-The ability to remember things
Ripple(D)
to (cause to) move in small waves

The breeze rippled the water.
His muscles rippled under his skin.
Comprehension
A test to find out how well students understand written or spoken language

a listening/reading comprehension
Hunch(ED)
to lean forward with your shoulders raised or to bend your back and shoulders into a rounded shape

We hunched round the fire to keep warm.
Stand up straight and don't hunch your back.
Gag(GED)
to experience the sudden uncomfortable feeling of tightness in the throat and stomach that makes you feel you are going to vomit

Just the smell of liver cooking makes me gag.
I tried my best to eat it but the meat was so fatty I gagged on it.
Dwindling
to become smaller in size or amount, or fewer in number.

The community has dwindled to a tenth of its former size in the last two years.
Her hopes of success in the race dwindled last night as the weather became worse.
Contempt
a strong feeling of disliking and having no respect for someone or something

At school she had complete contempt for all her teachers.
You should treat those remarks with the contempt that they deserve.
Resounding
loud

Supporters gave the team three resounding cheers.
Ogle(D)
to look at someone with obvious sexual interest

I saw you ogling the woman in the red dress!
Elevated
-Raised
The doctor said I was to keep my leg elevated.

-High or important
She holds a more elevated position in the company.

greater than is normal or reasonable
He has a rather elevated idea of his own importance.
Tramp(ED)
to walk, especially long distances or with heavy steps.

to tramp through the forest/undergrowth
We spent a week tramping the streets of Rome, looking for movie locations.
Debris
broken or torn pieces of something larger

Debris from the aircraft was scattered over a large area.
Mulch
-A covering of decaying leaves that is spread over the soil in order to keep water in it or to improve it
Notoriety
the state of being famous for something bad.

He achieved/gained notoriety for murdering eleven women in the north of England.
Tendency
If someone has a tendency to do or like something, they will probably do it or like it
His tendency to exaggerate is well known.

If there is a tendency for something to happen, it is likely to happen or it often happens
There is a tendency for unemployment to rise in the summer.

If there is a tendency to do something, it starts to happen more often or starts to increase
[+ to infinitive] There is a growing tendency to regard money more highly than quality of life.
Faltering
To lose strength or purpose and stop, or almost stop
The dinner party conversation faltered for a moment.
Her friends never faltered in their belief in her.

To move awkwardly as if you might fall
The nurse saw him falter and made him lean on her.
Contemplate
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.
You're not contemplating a change of job, are you?
Insensitively
(of a person or their behaviour) not feeling or showing sympathy for other people's feelings, or refusing to give importance to something

It was a bit insensitive of Fiona to go on so much about fat people when she knows Mandy is desperate to lose weight.

Not showing the effect of something as a reaction to it, or unable to feel something
The protective covering must be insensitive to light and heat.
Solitary
A solitary person or thing is the only person or thing in a place

On the hill, a solitary figure was busy chopping down trees.
In the distance was a solitary building.
Meteoric
relating to or caused by a meteor

The sudden flash of light in the night sky was caused by a meteoric fireball.
Immersed
to become completely involved in something
She got some books out of the library and immersed herself in Jewish history and culture.

To put something or someone completely under the surface of a liquid
The shells should be immersed in boiling water for two minutes.
Cordial
friendly, but formal and polite

a cordial smile/greeting/welcome/reception
Relations between the two leaders are said to be cordial.
Obituary
a report, especially in a newspaper, which gives the news of someone's death and details about their life
Blurt(ED)
to say something suddenly and without thinking, usually because you are excited or nervous
He blurted everything out about the baby, though we'd agreed to keep it a secret for a while.
Alchemy
a type of chemistry, especially from about the years 1100 to 1500, which dealt with trying to find a way to change ordinary metals into gold and with trying to find a medicine which would cure any disease
Aimless(LY)
without any clear intentions, purpose or direction

She said that her life seemed aimless after her children left home.
Dissipate(DISSIPATE)
to (cause to) gradually disappear or waste

The heat gradually dissipates into the atmosphere.
His anger dissipated as the situation became clear.
Bamboozle(ED)
to trick or deceive someone, often by confusing them

She was bamboozled into telling them her credit card number.
Indignantly
Angry because of something which is wrong or not fair.

She wrote an indignant letter to the paper complaining about the council's action.
He became very indignant when it was suggested he had made a mistake.
Eclipse
when the sun disappears from view, either completely or partly, while the moon is moving between it and the Earth, or when the moon becomes darker while the shadow of the Earth moves over it

a solar/lunar eclipse
On Wednesday there will be a total/partial eclipse of the sun
Grapple
to fight, especially in order to win something

The children grappled for the ball.
Scarlet
bright red.

scarlet berries
He went scarlet with shame.
Wrung
To hold something tightly with both hands and twist it by turning your hands in opposite directions.

She wrung out the shirt and hung it out to dry.
Clasping
to hold someone or something firmly in your hands or arms.

He was clasping the vase tightly, terrified of dropping it.
Lay on your back, clasp your knees and pull them down towards your chest.
Repress
to not allow something, especially feelings, to be expressed
He repressed a sudden desire to cry.

to control what people do, especially by using force
Lumber(ED)
to move slowly and awkwardly.

In the distance, we could see a herd of elephants lumbering across the plain.
Tremulous
If a person's voice or a part of their body is tremulous, it is shaking slightly.

He watched her tremulous hand reach for the teacup.
In a tremulous voice she whispered: "Who are you people?"
Awe
a feeling of great respect sometimes mixed with fear or surprise.

I've always held musicians in awe.
As children we were rather in awe of our grandfather.
Venerable
Deserving respect because of age, high position or religious or historical importance

a venerable tradition/company/family

Describes something that has been in use, or someone who has been involved in something, for a long time
In recent years there has been a noticeable decline in such venerable British institutions as afternoon tea and the Sunday roast.
Groped
to feel with your hands, especially in order to find or move towards something when you cannot see easily
She groped for her glasses on the bedside table.
I had to grope my way up the dark stairs.

To touch someone's body in order to get sexual pleasure, usually when the person does not want you to do this
He groped me as I was going to the bar.
Supress
to end something by force
The Hungarian uprising in 1956 was suppressed by the Soviet Union.

To prevent something from being seen or expressed or from operating
She couldn't suppress her anger/annoyance/delight.
His feelings of resentment have been suppressed for years.
Harry(HARRIED)
To repeatedly demand something from someone, often causing them to feel worried or angry.

She harried the authorities, writing letters and getting up petitions.
(un)Obscured
To prevent something from being seen or heard
Two new skyscrapers had sprung up, obscuring the view from her window.
The sun was obscured by clouds.

To make something difficult to discover and understand
Managers deliberately obscured the real situation from federal investigators.
Vat
a large container used for mixing or storing liquid substances, especially in a factory

a vat of wine/oil
Buffet(ED)
(Of wind, rain, etc.) to hit something repeatedly and with great force

The little boat was buffeted mercilessly by the waves.
Murky
dark and dirty or difficult to see through

The river was brown and murky after the storm.
Tantalising
to make someone feel excited or attracted by an offer or a suggestion of something which is, in fact, unlikely to happen
Laborious(LY)
needing a lot of time and effort

a laborious task
Navel
Belly button
Adorned
to add something decorative to a person or thing
The bride's hair was adorned with pearls and white flowers.

Adornment
something decorative, or the act of decorating something or someone
Quiver
to shake slightly, often because of strong emotion

Lonnie’s bottom lip quivered and tears started in his eyes.
Hurtle(D)
to move very fast, especially in what seems a dangerous way

The truck came hurtling towards us.
Complacency
A feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder.

What annoys me about these girls is their complacency - they seem to have no desire to expand their horizons.
Furtive
(of people) behaving secretly and often dishonestly, or (of actions) done secretly and often dishonestly.

I saw him cast a furtive glance at the woman at the table to his right.
He made one or two furtive phone calls.
Paramount
more important than anything else

There are many priorities, but reducing the budget deficit is paramount/is of paramount importance.
Impetus
something which encourages a particular activity or makes that activity more energetic or effective

The recent publicity surrounding homelessness has given (a) fresh impetus to the cause.
Airborne
In the air, or carried by air or wind or by an aircraft; flying

The airborne radioactive particles have covered a huge area of Russia.
Airborne troops were dropped by parachute behind enemy lines.
Pang
A sudden sharp feeling, especially of painful emotion

a pang of jealousy
We hadn't eaten since yesterday and the hunger pangs were getting harder to ignore.
Clambered
To climb up, across or into somewhere with difficulty, using the hands and the feet

They clambered over/up the rocks.
I clambered into/onto the bus.
Provocation
an action or statement that is intended to make someone angry

He'd fly into a rage at the slightest provocation.
Throbbing
to produce a strong, regular beat

Both records have a good throbbing bass which is great to dance to.

If a part of your body throbs, you feel pain in it in a series of regular beats
Aspidistra
A large evergreen (= never losing its leaves) plant, usually grown inside, which has purple flowers shaped like bells and long strong leaves
Insincere
pretending to feel something that you do not really feel, or not meaning what you say

an insincere apology
And all this praise just because the poor man has died - doesn't it strike you as a bit insincere?
Tersely
using few words, sometimes in a way that seems rude or unfriendly

"Are you feeling any better?" "No," was the terse reply.
Imminent
coming or likely to happen very soon
imminent disaster/danger
A strike is imminent.
Retort
to answer someone quickly in an angry or funny way

"That doesn't concern you!" she retorted.
Clamouring
to make a loud complaint or demand

The children were all clamouring for attention.
She clamours to go home as soon as she gets to school.
Staunched
to stop something happening, or to stop liquid, especially blood, from flowing out

The country's asylum laws were amended to staunch the flow/flood of economic migrants.
Mike pressed hard on the wound and staunched the flow of blood.
Roused
To wake someone up or make someone more active or excited

He roused himself (from a pleasant daydream) and got back to work.
The speaker attempted to rouse the crowd with a cry for action.
Vigil
(an act of) staying awake, especially at night, in order to be with an ill person, or to express especially political disagreement, or to pray.

His parents kept vigil beside his bed for weeks before he died.
Supporters of the peace movement held an all-night candlelit vigil outside the cathedral.
Relinquish(ING)
To give up something such as a responsibility or claim
He has relinquished his claim to the throne.
She relinquished control of the family investments to her son.

To unwillingly stop holding or keeping something
She relinquished her hold/grip on the steering wheel.
Acquaintance
A person that you have met but do not know well
A business acquaintance.

used in some expressions about knowing or meeting people
It was at the Taylors' party that I first made his acquaintance (= first met him).

knowledge of a subject
Sadly, my acquaintance with Spanish literature is rather limited.
Consummate
perfect, or complete in every way

a life of consummate happiness
He's a consummate athlete/gentleman/liar.
Pity
A feeling of sympathy and understanding for someone else's unhappiness or difficult situation
The girl stood gazing in/with pity at the old lion in the cage.

If something is described as a pity, it is disappointing or
Seared
to burn the surface of something with sudden very strong heat
The heat from the explosion seared their hands and faces.

To fry a piece of meat quickly at a high temperature, in order to prevent liquid and flavour escaping from it
Emaciated
very thin and weak, usually because of illness or extreme hunger.

There were pictures of emaciated children on the cover of the magazine.
Scullery
especially in a large old house, a room next to the kitchen where pans are washed and vegetables are prepared for cooking

Our house has the original scullery.
Evasively
answering questions in a way that is not direct or clear, especially because you do not want to give an honest answer
The Minister was her usual evasive self, skilfully dodging reporters' questions about her possible resignation.

Done to avoid something bad happening
By the time the pilot realised how close the plane was to the building, it was too late to take evasive action
Confided
to tell something secret or personal to someone who you trust not to tell anyone else.

He confided (to her) that his hair was not his own.
"My husband doesn't know yet, but I'm going to leave him,” she confided.
Transfigured
to change the appearance of a person or thing very much, usually in a very positive and often spiritual way.

As she gazed down at the baby, her face was transfigured with tenderness.
The assassination somehow transfigured Kennedy into a modern American saint.
Vigilance
more careful attention, especially in order to notice possible danger

The police said that it was thanks to the vigilance of a neighbour that the fire was discovered before it could spread.
Resignation
When someone tells their employer that they are leaving their job.

There have been calls for his resignation.
I handed in/gave in/sent in my resignation this morning.
Unencumbered
to weigh someone or something down, or to make it difficult for someone to do something.

Today, thankfully, women tennis players are not encumbered with/ heavy skirts and high-necked blouses.
Draught(draft)
A current of unpleasantly cold air blowing through a room
Feebly
weak and without energy, strength or power
He was a feeble, helpless old man.
The little lamp gave only a feeble light.
Opposition to the plan was rather feeble.

Not effective or good
a feeble joke/excuse
Marquee
A large tent used for eating and drinking in at events held mainly outside that involve a lot of people

We're planning to hold the wedding reception in a marquee in the garden.
Linger
To take a long time to leave or disappear.

After the play had finished, we lingered for a while in the bar hoping to catch sight of the actors.
The smell from the fire still lingered days later.
Revel(ING)
to dance, drink, sing, etc. at a party or in public, especially in a noisy way
Horizon
the line at the farthest place which you can see, where the sky seems to touch the land or sea

The moon rose slowly above the horizon.
We could see a row of camels silhouetted on the horizon.
Envisage
to imagine or expect something in the future, especially something good
Train fare increases of 5% are envisaged for the next year.
Maniacal
describes a cry or laugh that is loud and wild
He suddenly exploded into maniacal laughter.
Dishevelled
(of people or their appearance) very untidy

dishevelled hair/clothes/appearance
He ran in looking rather dishevelled.
Pustules
a small raised area on the skin which contains pus (= thick liquid)
Tact
the ability to say or do the right thing without making anyone unhappy or angry

He's never had much tact and people don't like his blunt manner.
Incredulous(-LITY)
not wanting or not able to believe something, and usually showing this.

A few incredulous spectators watched as Paterson, ranked 23rd in the world, beat the champion.
Remorse
when you feel very guilty and sad about something you have done

He felt no remorse for the murders he had committed.
Spruce(D)
to make someone or something cleaner and tidier or to improve the way they appear generally
.
Trilled
When birds trill, they sing a series of quickly repeated high notes.
LITERARY to speak in a very high voice
"Tea is ready," trilled Daphne.
Drape
To put something such as cloth or a piece of clothing loosely over something
He draped his jacket over the back of the chair and sat down to eat.

Be draped in:
To be loosely covered with a cloth
The coffins were all draped with the national flag.
Artistic(ALLY)
skilfully and attractively made

That's a very artistic flower arrangement you have there.
Suspending
to stop or to cause to be not active, either temporarily or permanently
The ferry service has been suspended for the day because of bad weather.

they are temporarily not allowed to take part in the activity because they have done something wrong
She was suspended from school for fighting.
Chortled
to laugh, showing pleasure and satisfaction, often at someone else's bad luck

She chortled with glee at the news.
Mane
the long thick hair that grows along the top of a horse's neck or around the face and neck of a lion

-Thick long hair on a person's head
The painting depicts a beautiful young man with a flowing mane of red hair.
Appraise((-E)ING)
to examine someone or something in order to judge their qualities, success or needs

At the end of each teaching practice, trainee teachers are asked to appraise their own performance.
Dismissively
showing that you do not think something is worth considering

He's so dismissive of anybody else's suggestions.
a dismissive attitude
Pretext
a pretended reason for doing something that is used to hide the real reason

The border dispute was used as a pretext for military intervention.
I called her on the pretext of needing more information.
Bequests
the money or property belonging to someone which they say that, after their death, they wish to be given to other people

Her will included small bequests to her family, while most of her fortune went to charity.
Derisively
showing derision (PLURAL)
DERISION
when someone or something is laughed at and considered stupid or of no value

They treated his suggestion with derision.
Her speech was met with hoots/howls of derision.
Avid(LY)
extremely eager or interested.

an avid football fan
an avid supporter of the arts
He took an avid interest in the project.
Rekindle((-E)ING)
to make someone have a feeling that they had in the past

The holiday was a last chance to rekindle their love.
Insolent((-T)E)
rude and not showing respect
an insolent child/young man
an insolent gesture/remark
Insubordination
refusing to obey orders from people in authority

an act of insubordination
Several officers were arrested for insubordination.
Peruse((-E)ING)
to read through something, especially in order to find the part you are interested in

He opened a newspaper and began to peruse the personal ads.
Unprecedented
never having happened or existed in the past

This century has witnessed environmental destruction on an unprecedented scale.
Entwine
to twist something together or around something
The picture captures the two lovers with their arms entwined.

Entwined
closely connected or unable to be separated
The fates of both countries seem somehow entwined.
Glare
A long angry look

She gave me a fierce glare.
Eccentric
strange or unusual, sometimes in a humorous way.

eccentric behaviour
eccentric clothes
Flummox(ED)
to confuse someone so much that they do not know what to do

I have to say that last question flummoxed me.
Perfunctory
done quickly, without taking care or interest

His smile was perfunctory.
Burgeoning
developing quickly
The company hoped to profit from the burgeoning communications industry.

burgeon
To develop or grow quickly
Love burgeoned between them.
Lilac
a bush or small tree with sweet-smelling purple or white flowers

The lilacs are in bloom.
Committal
the process of sending someone to a prison or mental hospital

The psychiatric team decided that committal would not be beneficial in her case.
Extremity
the furthest point, especially from the centre
The wood lies on the southern extremity of the estate.

extremities
the parts of the human body furthest from the heart, for example, the fingers, toes and nose
Stub
the short part of something which is left after the main part has been used, especially a cigarette after it has been smoked or one of the small pieces of paper left in a book from which cheques or tickets have been torn

stub your toe
to hurt your toe by hitting it against a hard object by accident
Pilfer(ED)
to steal things of small value

He was caught pilfering (sweets) from the shop.
Silhouette
a dark shape seen against a light surface.

The silhouette of the bare tree on the hill was clear against the winter sky.
Spread-eagled
describes someone who is lying with their arms and legs stretched out

-William was lying spread-eagled on the grass, blind drunk.
Prodigious
extremely great in ability, amount or strength

-She wrote a truly prodigious number of novels.
-She was a prodigious musician.
-He had a prodigious appetite for both women and drink.
Badgered
to persuade someone by telling them repeatedly to do something, or to question someone repeatedly

-Stop badgering me - I'll do it when I'm ready.
-She's been badgering me into doing some exercise.
Eerie
strange in a frightening and mysterious way.

She heard the eerie noise of the wind howling through the trees.
He had the eerie feeling that he had met this stranger before.
Dilapidated
describes something old and in poor condition.

The hotel we stayed in was really dilapidated.
a dilapidated old car/shed
Booth
a small space like a box that a person can go into
a telephone booth
a polling booth.

A partly closed area, table, or small tent at a fair, exhibition or similar event
Profound
felt or experienced very strongly or in an extreme way

His mother's death when he was aged six had a very profound effect on him.
The invention of the contraceptive pill brought about profound changes in the lives of women.
Prickly
covered with prickles
Chestnuts had burst out of their prickly green husks.
I find this sweater a bit prickly (= it makes the skin sore)

unfriendly and slightly rude
She was asked a couple of questions about her private life and got a bit prickly.
Relapsed
to become ill or start behaving badly again, after making an improvement.

She managed to stop using drugs for a month, but then relapsed.
He looked happy for a brief while, before relapsing into silent misery.
Tantamount
being almost the same or having the same effect as, usually something bad.

Her refusal to answer was tantamount to an admission of guilt.
Recitation
saying a piece of writing aloud from memory
He gave a beautiful recitation of some poems by Blake.
Domineering
trying to control other people without thinking about their feelings

She found him arrogant and domineering.
Belched
to allow air from the stomach to come out noisily through the mouth
He belched noisily.
FIGURATIVE The exhaust pipe belched out (= produced) dense black smoke.
Solemn
serious and without any humour
a solemn face/voice
solemn music.

Solemn promise/commitment/undertaking, etc.
an agreement which you make in a serious way and expect to keep
Morosely
unhappy, annoyed and unwilling to speak or smile; sullen
a morose expression
Why are you so morose these days?