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20 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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accost verb reporters accosted him in the street |
to approach and address someone boldly or aggressively |
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animadversion noun animadversion that the poet receives quite humbly |
criticism or censure |
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avid adjective she took an avid interest in the project |
having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something |
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brackish adjective the lighting in the movie is brackish |
slightly salty, as is the mixture of seawater and river water in estuaries |
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celerity noun |
swiftness of movement |
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devious adjective they have devious ways of making money. |
showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals |
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gambit noun his resignation was a tactical gambit |
a device, action, or opening remark, typically one entailing a degree of risk that is calculated to gain an advantage |
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halcyon adjective the halcyon days of the mid-1980s, when profits were soaring |
denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful |
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histrionic adjective a histrionic outburst |
overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style |
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incendiary adjective incendiary grenade |
(of a device or attack) designed to cause fires/ tending to stir up conflict |
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maelstrom noun the train station was a maelstrom of crowds |
a situation or state of confused movement or violent turmoil |
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myopic adjective the government still has a myopic attitude to public spending |
nearsighted |
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overt adjective in untreated cases, overt psychosis may occur |
done or shown openly; not secret or hidden |
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pejorative adjective pejorative term |
expressing contempt or disapproval |
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propriety noun he always behaved with the utmost propriety |
the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals |
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sacrilege noun putting ecclesiastical vestments to secular use was considered sacrilege |
violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred |
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summarily adverb she was summarily dismissed |
in a summary manner; without the customary formalities |
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suppliant noun their faces were suppliant |
a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority |
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talisman noun |
an object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck |
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undulate verb her body undulated to the thumping rhythm of the music |
to move with a smooth wavelike motion |
