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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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celibate
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abstaining from intercourse
adj. |
In that religion, the priests take vows to remain impoverished and celibate.
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fortuitous
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happening by chance; fortunate
adj. |
My father said meeting my mother was fortuitous; my mother said it was fate.
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recapitulate
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to summarize; to repeat briefly
v. |
Television newsmen always recapitulate Presidential news conferences, as if the audience were incapable of understanding what had been said.
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perfunctory
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done without care; in a routine fashion
adj. |
She greeted her guests in a perfunctory manner.
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baroque
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overly decorated
adj. |
The new dance club had a great light show the baroque furnishings seemed right in place.
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hedonism
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pursuit of pleasure, especially of the senses
n. |
John favors hedonism over self-sacrifice.
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obloquy
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strong disapproval; a bad reputation resulting from public criticism
n. |
His behavior brought shame to his family and obloquy on himself.
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debacle
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a complete failure; a total collapse
n. |
After reading the reviews, the actors knew the play was a debacle and would close in one night.
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quasi-
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resembling; seeming; half
adj. |
Grandfather was only in quasi-retirement because he couldn't give up control of the business.
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besmirch
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to make dirty; to stain
v. |
My ex-best friend tried to besmirch my reputation with her vicious gossip.
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imperative
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extremely necessary; vitally important
adj. |
It is imperative that you leave immediately.
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sacrosanct
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extremely holy
adj. |
The detective's orders were to investigate everyone; no person was so sacrosanct that he or she was about suspicion.
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sadistic
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deriving pleasure from inflicting pain on others
adj. |
Donna took sadistic pleasure in tormenting her little sister.
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demeanor
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behavior; manner of conducting oneself
n. |
Believe me, his shy demeanor is just an act; he is really quite wild.
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facetious
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comical; jocular; flippant
adj. |
Her facetious comments were beginning to get tiresome.
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