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350 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
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executive
person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing
dilettante
aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight
gangrene
decay of body tissue caused by insufficient blood supply (usually following injury); ADJ. gangrenous
limbo
region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo
genus
division of animals or plants, below a family and above a species
cajole
persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle
bromide
platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement
brandish
wave around (a weapon); flourish
tyro
beginner; novice
inequity
unfairness; ADJ. inequitable
industrious
diligent; hard-working; N. industry
rife
(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current
premonition
forewarning; presentiment; foreboding
expedient
suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient
meter
arrangement of words in the form of poetry (by accentual rhythm)
insinuate
hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss's favor; CF. ingratiate
wizened
shriveled; withered; Ex. wizened apple/old lady
defeatist
resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism
carcinogenic
causing cancer; N. carcinogen
substantive
substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues
connotation
suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote
clapper
striker (tongue) of a bell
abstinence
restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote
drastic
strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures
tender
offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one's resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound
defrock
strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock
transcribe
copy; write a copy of; N. transcription
metallurgical
pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores
glow
shine brightly without a flame (as of eyes or metals); show redness and heat (in the face) after hard work or because of strong feelings; N: light produced by a heated body; brilliance of a color
insensible
unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible
favoritism
display of partiality toward a favored person
disavowal
denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim
deducible
derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning
speechless
unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger
eschew
avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks
juxtapose
place side by side; CF. next
overture
musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace
bolt
door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a | door); gobble down
adapt
make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel.
grudging
unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluctantly)
disparity
difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity
stodgy
dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book
embroil
throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio
pith
core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
blighted
suffering from a disease; destroyed
disabuse
correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief
microcosm
small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society
febrile
feverish
awful
terrible; very bad
quash
crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court
equitable
fair; impartial; OP. inequitable
adept
expert at; very skilled
accessible
easy to approach; obtainable
effulgent
shining brightly; brilliant
reverent
respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect
cosmic
pertaining to the universe; vast
significant
expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant
marital
pertaining to marriage
reverie
daydream; abstracted musing
fraudulent
cheating; deceitful; Ex. fraudulent means; N. fraud: deception; swindle
homage
honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to
residue
remainder; balance
meddlesome
interfering; V. meddle: interfere
squander
waste; spend foolishly
expiate
make amends for (a sin)
plume
feather, esp. large or showy one; something that rises into the air (like the shape of a feather); Ex. plume of smoke: 滚几 备抚
abrogate
abolish
seminary
school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women
mutter
utter (complaining words) indistinctly in low tones
stumble
trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N.
endorse
approve; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal
inflated
exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)
writ
written command issued by a court (telling someone to do or not to do something)
blandishment
flattery
malady
illness
supererogatory
superfluous; more than needed or demanded
indigent
poor; destitute
shear
remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears; N: shears; pair of scissors
snivel
complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; Ex. Don't come back sniveling to me.
surge
powerful movement of or like a wave; V.
smear
spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing
buffet
strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that's been set
sheer
pure; thin and transparent; very steep
qualified
limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify
assail
assault
impunity
freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish
Machiavellian
crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power
jaunty
cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat
fallow
(of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated
embitter
make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.
unerringly
infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes
enfranchise
admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise
amorphous
formless; lacking shape or definition
transpire
(of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores
deposition
testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
pathos
tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
peddle
travel about selling (wares); CF. foot
menial
suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)
touchstone
stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard
titillate
tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it
rapacious
voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds
mingle
mix together in close association
impervious
impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in one's opinions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism
ineffectual
not effective; not having a desired effect; weak
offensive
attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense
zest
outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life
reprove
censure; rebuke; N. reproof
ceremonious
marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy
tautological
needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye''; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true
veto
vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto
apostate
one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy
rationalize
make rational; devise false reasons for (one's behavior); offer an excuse; give a plausible reason for an action in place of a true, less admirable ones; N. rationalization
ungainly
(of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument
gourmand
epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink
languid
lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless
loft
room or space under the roof; attic
ovoid
egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate
chafe
warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.
wistful
sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memories); sadly pensive; vaguely longing
jabber
chatter rapidly or unintelligibly
portend
foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning
onerous
burdensome
marked
noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked improvement/man
stoke
stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully
pensive
dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over
unfetter
liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter
pious
devout; religious; N. piety
pontifical
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
nib
beak(bill); pen point
stint
supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint
serenity
calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene
conducive
helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards
emblazon
ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment
indefatigable
tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired
wheedle
deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her
collateral
security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters
cavalier
casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight
allay
calm; pacify
stupefy
stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze
woe
great sorrow; deep inconsolable grief; affliction; suffering; Ex. financial woes
daub
smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint
monetary
pertaining to money
transient
staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient
bestow
confer
prelude
introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner
burgeon
grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon
untenable
(of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained
prank
mischievous trick
pariah
social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
mediate
settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire
debut
d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society
thrifty
careful about money; economical; N. thrift
fickle
changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless
brazen
insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence
nonentity
person of no importance; nonexistence
dehydrate
remove water from; dry out
insatiable
not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite
severity
harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense
disheveled
untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel
flotsam
drifting wreckage
rational
(of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical
wispy
thin; slight; barely discernible
esoteric
hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica
gentle
kindly; soft; mild; of good family
whiff
puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.); short-lasting smell; hint; Ex. whiff of perfume/scandal
expertise
specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill
smug
self-satisfied; complacent
predicament
difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma
catapult
slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult
tribune
official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people
derision
ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory
rebuke
scold harshly; criticize severely
imbue
saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue someone with feelings
grueling
exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race
glitter
shine brightly with flashing points of light; Ex. glittering diamond ring; N: sparkling light; attractiveness; glamor; Ex. glitter of the sun on the waves
monochrome
painting in only one color; ADJ.
gnarl
protruding knot on a tree; V.
recast
reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again
catcall
shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.
obsidian
black volcanic rock
papyrus
ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant
poise
good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position
libertine
debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou\'e; CF. free
psychosis
mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic
condescend
(derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior
distinction
honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction
incline
slope; slant; Ex. steep incline
hale
healthy
extort
wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant
facet
small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side
parquet
floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
acidulous
slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic
lampoon
ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing a person, group, or institution
spatial
relating to space
plumage
feathers of a bird;
equivocate
use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation
refurbish
renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; CF. furbish: polish
rally
come or bring together; call up or summon (forces, vital powers, etc.); revive or recuperate (after illness or difficulty); N: act of rallying; mass gathering
mandatory
obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate
forensic
suitable to debate or courts of law; of or used in legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex. forensic science/medicine
axiom
self-evident truth requiring no proof
tantrum
fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.
deviate
turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
composure
mental calmness
phalanx
formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
irascible
irritable; easily angered
maneuver(manoeuver)
strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end
quisling
traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling
domineer
rule over tyrannically
verbiage
pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness
confluence
flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together
bout
match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu
cursive
(of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined
salvage
rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property saved
nauseous
causing nausea; feeling nausea
canto
division of a long poem
mute
silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, color, shade of
maul
handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer
tremulous
trembling; wavering
excoriate
scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off
clasp
hold firmly within arms
corrugated
wrinkled; ridged
finicky
too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky about her food
lucrative
profitable; producing wealth
confidence
self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I'm telling yo
impenetrable
not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery
deterrent
something that discourages or deters
abut
border upon; adjoin
ineffable
unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy
founder
person who establishes (an organization or business)
cognate
having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.
politic
prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
pertinacious
holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
accoutre
equip; N. accoutrement
annex
attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one
advert
refer
aghast
filled with great surprise or fear; horrified
swamp
wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in with liquid
codicil
supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will
regale
entertain
unsavory
distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory activity/reputation
jurisprudence
science of law
pharisaical
pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical
emend
correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement
die
metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice
withstand
stand up against; resist successfully
lancet
small surgical tool for making incisions
disinter
dig up; unearth; OP. inter
foul
very bad or disagreeable; very dirty; Ex. foul smell/flavor/temper/language/air/deed/weather/means; N. act against the rules; V. make or become foul; commit a foul
foist
insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist
ingratiate
become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss
base
contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron
caldron(cauldron)
large kettle
maxim
proverb; truth pithily stated
nether
lower; Ex. nether garments/regions
recalcitrant
disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child
gouge
overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. gouge the public; CF. usury
martial
warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law
rag
scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance
stout
rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter
regime
method of system or government
flag
droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging
subsume
include (as a member of a group); encompass
lectern
reading desk or stand for a public speaker
ramify
branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions
antagonism
hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist
ultimatum
last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum.
singular
being only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior
genre
particular variety of art or literature
gossamer
sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb
exalt
raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation
commiserate
feel or express pity or sympathy for
adjacent
adjoining; neighboring; close by
orient
get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate
omnipotent
all-powerful; having unlimited power
fusillade
simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)
banal
hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed
clientele
body of customers
malapropos
inappropriate; ADV.
constitution
constituting; system of laws; composition of something; physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with strong constitutions
infidel
unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)
sour
having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-tempered; V.
bourgeois
middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions
anemia
condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic
evenhanded
impartial; fair
geniality
cheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy; ADJ. genial: cheerful and good-tempered
scad
a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes
halcyon
calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days
trifling
trivial; unimportant
remorse
deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach
bliss
complete happiness; ADJ. blissful
hireling
one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician
lassitude
languor; weariness; listlessness
specious
seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)
antipathy
aversion; dislike or opposition
feint
trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V.
blemish
mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the crystal; CF. unblemished
regatta
boat or yacht race
nebulous
vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal
alms
money or goods given to the poor
application
diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself
tempestuous
stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm
flicker
burn unsteadily or fitfully; move waveringly; N: flickering movement or light; brief sensation; Ex. flicker of excitement
scabbard
case for a sword blade; sheath
enamored
in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love
wrest
obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence; Ex. wrest victory from their grasp
wring
twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands)
spoof
parody - to make fun immatation
None
patois
local or provincial dialect
musky
having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer
condign
adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved
giddy
light-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; causing dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height
ensconce
settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
underhand(underhanded)
done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)
flighty
(esp. of a woman's behavior) capricious; often changing, esp. from one lover to another; impulsive
pending
not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return
ligneous
like wood
confidential
spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary
intransigence
refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising
mangy
shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance
flout
reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout the rules
deplore
regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition
affliction
state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on
ruthless
pitiless; merciless; cruel
ecosystem
ecological community together with its environment
maritime
bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces
determination
resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision
spendthrift
someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth
wisp
small bunch (of hair); faint streak (of smoke)
transitory
transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness
mealymouthed
indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive
regent
a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent
philanthropist
lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy
attrition
rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition
maternal
motherly; N. maternity: motherhood
fulcrum
support on which a lever rests or pivots
catastrophe
calamity ; disaster
paradigm
model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word
rumble
make or move with a deep rolling sound (as thunder or stomach)
befuddle
confuse thoroughly
opaque
dark; not transparent; N. opacity
hibernal
wintry; wintery; of or like winter
annuity
yearly allowance
irate
angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath
usage
act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used
forward
presumptuous or bold
chisel
swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting
sear
burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither
Shangri-la
imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon
vicar
parish priest; representative