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80 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Abstract |
Definition: not concrete, nonfigurative Example: They had no abstract ideas; in their minds all was concrete, visible and tangible |
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Aesthetic |
Definition: having to do with the appreciation of beauty Example: Frequently aesthetic motives provide no inspiration for action |
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Alleviate |
Definition: to ease a pain or a burden Example: It's supposed to alleviate bad moods," Dan said to Lana |
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Ambivalent |
Definition: simultaneously feeling opposing feelings, uncertain Example: The couple was ambivalent about buying a house because they couldn’t find a place that fit into their budget |
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Ambiguous |
Definition: open to more than one interpretation, unclear Example: Because his driving directions are ambiguous, I use my reliable map. |
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Apethetic |
Definition: feeling or showing little emotion Example: My so-called lover was simply apathetic about the hurt he caused me |
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Auspicious |
Definition: favorable, promising Example: Could events be more auspicious for the party seeking college student? |
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Benevolent |
Definition: well-meaning, generous Example: He was a benevolent employer who spent large chunks of his earnings on the welfare of his employees |
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Candor |
Definition: sincerity, openness Example: Because the realtor was an honest woman, she replied with candor about the damage to the house. |
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Comprehensive |
Definition: broad or complete in scope or content. Example: The lengthy report is a comprehensive survey of the funds, materials, and labor needed to build the new highway. |
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Contemporary |
Definition: current, modern: from the same time Example: Contemporary medicine is much more effective than the medicines produced twenty years ago. |
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Maveric |
Definition: one who resists adherence to a group Example:When the maverick actor tried to rewrite the script |
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Stoic |
Definition: indifferent to pleasure or pain, impassive Example: While on camera, the actor played the role of a stoic killer who was not affected by the pain he suffered or inflicted upon others. |
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Esoteric |
Definition: known only to a select group Example: The medical research was so esoteric that only a few physicians could actually understand the results |
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Plausible |
Definition: seemingly valid or acceptable; credible Example: When Jason forgot to do his homework, he tried to come up with a plausible excuse his teacher would believe. |
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Transitory |
Definition: short-lived, temporary Example: Unfortunately, the homeless people can only stay in the transitory shelter for a short period of time |
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Prosaic |
Definition: unimaginative, dull, ordinary Example: As a whole, prosaic writers tend to write very dull stories which most people never remember |
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Innovative |
Definition: introducing something new Example: But in addition to the ways the Internet will revolutionize agriculture, other innovative solutions and advances are not related to information. |
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Dubious |
Definition: doubtful; of unlikely authenticity Example: I had the feeling Charlie’s dubious plan would never work |
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Objective |
Definition: judgement uninfluenced by emotion Example: The article attempted objectivity, documenting several of the cases on which our tips proved fruitful. |
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Paramount |
Definition: of chief concern or importance Example: Staying on schedule is paramount to ensure confidence in the system. |
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Novel |
Definition: strikingly new or unusual Example: A more entirely novel and more general principle of Kant's attack upon theism is the challenge. |
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Gratuitous |
Definition: Given freely, unearned, unwarranted Example: An effort was made to attract French colonists to Algeria by gratuitous concessions of land. |
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Superfluous |
Definition: Extra, unnecessary Example: Isn't it superfluous to have 20 pairs of shoes when you only wear the same 5 pairs? |
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Conviction |
Definition: a fixed or strong belief Example: Even as he was tortured, he held onto his conviction that he would never betray his country. |
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Diligent |
Definition: marked by painstaking effort, hard-working Example: Because Danielle takes a break every five minutes, she is not a diligent worker |
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Inherent |
Definition: inborn, built-in Example: Even as a youngster, Janice showed she had an inherent talent to be a great singer |
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Eclectic |
Definition: made up of a variety of sources or styles Example: Because Leslie has traveled all over the world, her home is filled with many eclectic furnishings. |
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Mollify |
Definition: to calm or soothe Example: When the baby started to cry, his mother tried to mollify him with a bottle of milk. |
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Tenuous |
Definition: having little substance or strength, unsure, weak Example: The uneducated man made a tenuous argument against the importance of obtaining a higher education |
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Dismal |
Definition: Depressing, dreamy Example: Could anything like passion spring up in those dismalalleys |
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Commenced |
Definition: to begin, start Example: From April to November no rain falls; in November the rains commence, and during the winter the thermometer falls to 46° F. |
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Victuals |
Definition: food, supplies, provision Example: Twenty-four hours of victuals and twenty-four hours of hunger will be many more hours than we shall need |
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Ransom |
Definition: the sum or price paid or demanded, to redeem from captivity, bondage Example: There are lots of unsolved cases, kidnappings for ransom too. |
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Enchantment |
Definition: the art, act, or an instance of magical influence Example: But starting from his enchantment, Gardiner silently hurried to the side; more fell than stepped into his boat, and returned to his ship |
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Raspy |
Definition: harsh, grating Example: a good duck caller has a raspy sound when he calls |
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Counterfeit |
Definition: made in imitation so to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine, not genuine, forged Example: They also render the manufacture of counterfeit FIG |
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Temperance |
Definition: moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, self-control Example: The following year she was made national superintendent of franchise of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, serving for six years |
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Abolish |
Definition: to do away with Example: He wished to control, not to abolish them |
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Hail |
Definition: to call out to in order to greet, stop, attract attention Example: I tried to hail a taxi to get a ride, |
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Abreast |
Definition: side by side and facing the same way Example: He sat abreast of me on the bus. |
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Brash |
Definition: Vulgarly self assertive, hasty, rash Example: Because Anna is so brash at work, she often offends people with her aggressive personality. |
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Lolled |
Definition: sit, lie, or stand in a lazy relaxed way Example: The Other's body seized up then went limp, its head lolling back, as it lost the ability to move. |
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Abolitionist |
Definition: a person who favors the doing away with a practice or institution Example: The pioneer of the more recent abolitionist movement was Benjamin Lundy (1789-1839) |
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Speculate |
Definition: to form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence Example: Since I do not know Jim and Karen, I cannot speculate on the reasons behind their divorce. |
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Solemn |
Definition: formal, serious, not cheerful Example: He had been unusually quiet and solemn lately. |
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Bygones |
Definition: a thing dating from an earlier time Example: Of Inverness by road or canal, and was, in bygone days, one of the keys of the Highlands. |
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Lament |
Definition: to mourn ( a loss or death) Example: I may lament and weep," he adds " but truly I have had admirable sport," with his greyhounds |
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Pensive |
Definition: reflecting, in serious thought Example: Unrequited love caused her to be in a very pensive mood |
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Disposition |
Definition: a tendency to act in a specified way Example: Even though the old man appeared grumpy, he really had a pleasant disposition |
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Vulnerable |
Definition: susceptible to physical or emotional injury Example:Leaving them and the humans vulnerable to the Black God. |
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Reserved |
Definition: the keeping of ones feelings, thoughts, or affairs to oneself Example: They were reserved for the most influential of the clan |
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Feigned |
Definition: to give a false appearance of; feign sleep Example: Cassie drew her brows down to feign a stern expression. |
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Levity |
Definition: lightness or manner of speech, especially when inappropriate Example: Here her unrestrained high spirits and levity gave great offence to the citizens |
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Plagaristic |
Definition: copied or passed off as your own Example: My student had some plagaristic works that he copied off of a web site |
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Marred |
Definition: something that has been damaged, disfigured or blemished Example: Often marred by internal defects of the ice. |
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Perpetual |
Definition: copied or passed off as your own Example: She was an attractive girl with a quick smile and a perpetual twinkle in her eyes. |
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Bizarre |
Definition: out of the ordinary, odd Example: I'm content to consider Howie's dream a bizarre happening and move on. |
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Acute |
Definition: keenly perceptive or discerning; extremely sharp or severe Example: The cause of his death was acute gout brought on by excessive drinking. |
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Reproach |
Definition: to bring shame upon; disgrace Example: Here again it first appears as a term of reproach and contempt, applied by the opponents of the king. |
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Turbulance |
Definition: a state of violent disturbance and disorder; wild or disruptive activity Example: Their turbulence still continued, and since 1849 they have been the object of over fifty punitive expeditions |
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Supercilious |
Definition: having or showing arrogant superiority; haughty Example: You look down on people with your supercilious attitude |
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Fractiousness |
Definition: the trait of being disobedient and lacking discipline Example: The inexperienced teacher found the fractious students difficult to control. |
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Wistfully |
Definition: unfulfilled longing or yearning Example: I became wistful when I saw my ex-boyfriend with his new love. |
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Vista |
Definition: a distant view seen through an opening, as between rows of buildings/trees Example: Once past the open vista, the road deteriorated, dropping into the forest on federal land. |
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Pungent |
Definition: sharp of irritating to the taste or smell, acrid Example: When the pungent smell of rotten eggs filled the house, I held my nose. |
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Deft |
Definition: quick and skillful; adroit Example: The deft musician was able to play the harmonica and the piano at the same time. |
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Reciprocal |
Definition: performed, experienced, or felt by both sides, mutual Example: This reciprocal silence is probably significant |
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Languid |
Definition: lacking energy of vitality; sluggish Example: I always get my rest when I take a languid cruise vacation |
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Fervent |
Definition: having or showing great emotion or zeal Example: The hot topic spurred a fervent debate between the two political parties. |
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Cynical |
Definition: Expressing jaded or scornful skepticism or negativity, pesimistic Example: Helen is a cynical woman who does not trust anyone. |
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Desolate |
Definition: devoid of inhabitants, barren Example: Since the anchor stores closed, the shopping center has become a desolate wasteland |
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Transcendent |
Definition: surpassing others, preeminent or supreme Example: In order to completely identify with the plot of the science fiction movie, you must be able to consider the idea of transcendent experiences that allow people to enter the minds of others. |
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Impenetrable |
Definition: Impossible to penetrate or enter Example: Computer jargon is completely impenetrable to me. |
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Oculist |
Definition: A physician who treats diseases of the eyes, an optometrist Example: Johann Zahn, in his Oculus Artificial Teledioptricus (1685-1686), described and figured two forms of portable box cameras with lenses |
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Sumptuous |
Definition: Lavish, rich and superior in quality Example: My eyes grew large when I saw the sumptuous wedding feast. |
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Facet |
Definition: one of numerous aspects, as of a subject Example: Beyond a reasonable doubt” means that you must explore every facet of the case. |
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Incessant |
Definition: continuing without interruption, continual Example: The incessant crying of a baby drives me nuts! |
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Innumerable |
Definition: too numerous to be counted, numberless Example: The popular celebrity receives an innumerable amount of fan mail each week. |
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Disdain |
Definition: a feeling or show of contempt and aloofness, scorn Example: Pacifists are likely to disdain my right to gun ownership. |
