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33 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
meretricious
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adj.
superficially attractive: attractive in a superficial or vulgar manner but without real value (formal) misleadingly plausible: seemingly plausible or significant, but actually insincere or false of prostitutes: relating to or like a prostitute (archaic) |
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ineffable
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adj.
indescribable: incapable of being expressed in words (formal) |
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turgid
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adj.
pompous and overcomplicated: pompous, boring, and overcomplicated |
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brothel
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noun
house of prostitution: a place where people pay to have sexual intercourse with prostitutes |
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antecedents
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noun
thing coming before: something that happened or existed before something else |
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ingratiate
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verb
seek to please somebody: to try to enter somebody’s favor, especially in order to gain an advantage |
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obtrusive
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adj.
annoying: tending to force your presence or opinions on other people highly noticeable: highly noticeable, often with a bad or unwelcome effect sticking out: projecting or sticking out |
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contralto
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noun
low speaking voice: a naturally low speaking voice in a woman lowest female vocal range: the lowest vocal range for women’s voices, below soprano and mezzo-soprano |
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caravansary
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noun
desert inn for traveling caravans: a large inn with a central courtyard, found in some eastern countries and used by caravans crossing the desert |
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harrowing
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adj.
upsetting: evoking feelings of fear, horror, or disgust |
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contingency
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noun
something that may happen: an event that may occur in the future, especially a problem, emergency, or expense that might arise unexpectedly, needs to be dealt with, and therefore must be prepared for dependence upon chance: dependence upon chance or factors and circumstances that are presently unknown |
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inexplicable
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adj.
incomprehensible: incapable of being explained or justified |
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inviolate
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adj.
unaltered: not subject to change, damage, or destruction kept pure: kept pure, untouched, or unblemished |
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precipitously
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adj.
done rashly: done or acting too quickly and without enough thought |
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portentous
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adj.
significant: very serious and significant, especially in terms of future events amazing: inspiring wonder and amazement |
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libertine
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noun
philanderer: somebody, usually a man, who indulges in pleasures that are considered immoral and who has sexual relationships with many people |
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prig
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noun
smugly well-behaved person: somebody who is thought to take pride in behaving in a very correct and proper way, and in feeling morally superior to people with more relaxed standards (insult) |
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rancor
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noun
resentment: bitter, deeply held, and long-lasting ill will or resentment |
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expostulation
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noun
the act of expostulating; remonstrance; earnest and kindly protest |
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truculent
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adj.
aggressively defiant: aggressively or sullenly refusing to accept something or do what is asked |
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luminosity
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noun
Also called luminosity. the quality or condition of radiating or reflecting light |
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cahoots
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noun
be in cahoots (with somebody) to have a secret agreement with somebody, especially to do something dishonest or illegal (informal) |
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pneumatic
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adj.
using compressed air: operated by compressed air in a tool or machine filled with air: filled with air, especially compressed air physics involving compressed gases: relating to, involving, operated by, or typical of the pressure of compressed gases, especially air pressure or compressed air of gases or wind: concerning, involving, or typical of air, gases, or wind religion of the soul: concerning or involving the soul or spirit birds with air-filled cavities in the bones: used to describe birds that have air-filled cavities in the bones full-breasted: having large breasts (informal) (offensive in some contexts) |
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fortuitously
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adj.
accidental or unplanned: happening by chance lucky: bringing or indicating good fortune |
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amorphous
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adj.
without shape: without any clear shape, form, or structure |
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adventitious
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adj.
from outside: added from an outside and often unexpected source rather than intrinsic |
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pasquinade
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noun
satire: an often anonymous lampoon or satire that traditionally was left displayed in a public place (archaic) |
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superfluous
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adj.
more than necessary: that is in excess of what is needed |
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complacent
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adj.
satisfied: self-satisfied, usually in an unreflective way and without being aware of possible dangers |
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transitory
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adj.
not permanent or lasting: not permanent or lasting, but existing only for a short time |
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aesthetic
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adj.
Relating to the philosophy or theories of aesthetics. Of or concerning the appreciation of beauty or good taste Characterized by a heightened sensitivity to beauty. Conforming to accepted notions of good taste. |
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commensurate
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adj.
equal in size: of the same size or extent in proportion: properly or appropriately proportionate |
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orgiastic
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adj.
marked by wild revelry: full of a spirit of wild revelry lacking restraint: showing extravagance or lack of restraint |