English Vocabulary Unit 4

Front 1

annul

Back 1

annul
v

to reduce to nothing; to make ineffective or inoperative; to declare legally invalid or void

syn: cancel, abolish, invalidate, nulify

ant: validate, authorize, ratify

Front 2

blase'

Back 2

blase'
adj

indifferent, bored as a result of having enjoyed many pleasures; apathetic

ant: enthusiastic, passionate, fervent

Front 3

bolster

Back 3

bolster
v
to support, give a boost to;

n
a long pillow or cushion; a supporting post

syn: (v) strengthen, reinforce, buttress, validate

ant (v) undermine, weaken, impair

Front 4

deplore

Back 4

deplore
v

to feel or express regret or disapproval

syn: lament, bemoan, bewail

ant: approve, commend, extol

Front 5

frivolous

Back 5

frivolous
adj

of little importance, not worthy of serious attention; not mean seriously

syn: silly, foolish, inane, petty, trifling

ant: serious, important, significant

Front 6

muster

Back 6

muster
v

to bring together for service or battle; to gather or summon; to amount to, comprise, include

n
a list of men for military service; a gathering, accumulation

syn: (v) mobilize, marshal (n) roster, inventory

ant: (disband, dismiss disperse

Front 7

nonentity

Back 7

nonentity
n

a person or thing of no importance

syn: nobody

ant: celebrity, superstar

Front 8

obsess

Back 8

obsess
v

to trouble, haunt, or fill the mind

syn: preoccupy

Front 9

ornate

Back 9

ornate
adj

elaborately decorated, showily splendid

syn: fancy, elaborate, flashy, flamboyant

ant: simple, plain, stark, austere

Front 10

oust

Back 10

oust
v

to remove, drive out of a position or place

syn: expel, eject

ant: admit, welcome

Front 11

peruse

Back 11

peruse
v

to read thoroughly and carefully

syn: study, pore over, scrutinize

Front 12

porous

Back 12

porous
adj

full of tiny holes; able to be penetrated by air or water

syn:leaky, permeable

ant: airtight, waterproof, impermeable

Front 13

promontory

Back 13

promontory
n

a high point of land extending into water

syn: cliff, headland

Front 14

prone

Back 14

prone
adj

lying face down; inclined, likely

syn: prostrate, liable, apt

ant: standing upright, unlikely

Front 15

qualm

Back 15

qualm
n

a pang of conscience, uneasiness, misgiving, or doubt; a feeling of faintness or nausea

syn: regret, second thought, scruple

Front 16

recourse

Back 16

recourse
n

a person or thing turned to for help or advice; the act of seeking help or protection

syn: redress, remedy, resort

Front 17

residue

Back 17

n
a remainder, that which remains when a part has been used up or removed

syn: remnant, remains, leavings

Front 18

solicitous

Back 18

solicitous
adj

showing concern or care; fearful or anxious about someone or something

syn: concerned

ant: unconcerned, indifferent, apathetic

Front 19

staid

Back 19

staid
adj

serious and dignified; quiet or subdued in characgter or conduct

syn: sedate, sober, prim

ant: gaudy, jaunty, unconventional

Front 20

sustain

Back 20

sustain
v

to support, nourish, keep up; to suffer, undergo; to bear up under, withstand; to affirm the validity of

syn: foster, maintain