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20 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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allocate
(al' e kate) |
to set aside for a special purpose; to distribute
In their wills many people allocate a portion of their wealth to favorite charities or educational institutions. Synonyms: assign, allot apportion |
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ardent
(ar' dent) |
(adj.) very enthusiastic, impassioned.
The members of the winning team acknowledged the cheers of their ardent fans. syn.- intense, zealous, fervent, avid ant.- indifferent, stolid, phlegamatic, apathetic |
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assiduous
(e sij' u es) |
(adj.) persistent, attentive, diligent.
Workers who are conscientious in the performance of their duties are, by definition, assiduous. syn.- industrious, unremitting, sedulous ant.- lazy, lackadaisical, shiftless |
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brash
(brash) |
(adj.) prone to act in a hasty manner; impudent.
Successful political candidates soon learn how to handle tough questions fired at them by brash newspaper and TV reporters. syn.- rash, impetuous, brazen, impertinent ant.- prudent, wary, cautious, circumspect |
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capricious
(ke prish' es) |
(adj.) subject to whims or passing fancies.
Our constitutional system of checks and balances is designed to prevent the capricious use of power by any branch of the federal government. syn.- impulsive, fickle, unpredictable, mercurial ant.- constant, steady, steadfast, unwavering |
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Chastise
(chas tiz') |
(v.) to inflict physical punishment as a means of correction; to scold severely.
State and federal laws now forbid the use of corporal punishment to chastise prisoners. syn.- discipline, censure ant.- commend, reward |
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copious
(ko' pe es) |
(adj.) abundant; plentiful; wordy, verbose.
The copious and detailed footnotes found in most scholarly books are designed to document the authors' sources.syn.- ample, profuse, bountiful ant.- inadequate, meager, scanty, concise |
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deviate
(de've at) |
(v.) to turn aside; to stray from a norm; (n.) one who departs from a norm; (adj.) differing from a norm, heterodox, unconventional.
Try not to deviate from the directions given in the owner's manual.syn.- (v) diverge, veer, swerve ant.- (v) confrom to, abide by; (adj.) orthodox |
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emaciated
(i ma' she a tid) |
(adj.,part.) unnaturally thin.
People who suffer from serious eating disorders may soon become woefully emaciated. syn.- gaunt, withered, shriveled ant.- plump, fat, obese, corpulent |
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exult
(eg zelt') |
(v.) to rejoice greatly.
The campaign workers exulted in the unexpected victory of their candidate. syn.- revel, glory ant.- mope, sulk, regret, rue, lament |
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gnarled
(narld) |
(adj.) knotted, twisted, lumpy.
The gnarled limbs of cypresses dominate many of the landscapes painted by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. syn.- knotty, misshappen, contorted ant.- smooth, unblemished, straight |
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indemnity
(in dem' ne te) |
(n.) a payment for damage or loss
A certain type of life insurance contract provides double indemnity for the accidental death of the policyholder. syn.- compensation, restitution, reparation |
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inkling
(ink' lin) |
(n.) a hint; a vague notion.I had absolutely no inkling of what to expect as I entered the room.
syn.- clue, intimation, suggestion |
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limpid
(lim' pid) |
(adj.) clear, transparent; readily understood.
Snorkelers flock to the limpid waters of the Caribbean to view schools of brightly colored fish. syn.- lucid, intelligible ant.- clouded, murky, opaque |
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omnipotent
(am nip' e tent) |
(adj.) almighty, having unlimited power or authority.
Many of the heroes of ancient myths and legends appear to be all but omnipotent. syn.- all-powerful ant.- powerless, impotent, feeble, weak |
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palatable
(pal' e te bel) |
(adj.) agreeable to the taste or one's sensibilities; suitable for consumption.
The addition of some seasonings will usually make even the blandest of dishes palatable. syn.- edible, appetizing, attractive ant.- inedible, distasteful, disagreeable |
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poignant
(poin' yent) |
(adj.) deeply affecting, touching; keen or sharp in taste or smell.
There is something truly poignant about the sight of falling leaves in autumn.syn.- heartrending, bittersweet, melancholy ant.- unaffecting, bland, vapid, insipid, funny |
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rancor
(ran' ker) |
(n.) bitter resentment or ill-will.
An unusual degree of __________ may creep into the tone of the political debate in an election year. syn.- heartrending, bittersweet, melancholy ant.- unaffecting, bland, vapid, insipid, funny |
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sophomoric
(saf e mor' ik) |
(adj.) immature and overconfident; conceited.
Adolescents aren't the only people whose behavior might at times be considered a bit sophomoric. syn.- pretentious, superficial, fatuous ant.- mature, judicious, sage, knowledgeable |
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spontaneous
(span ta' ne es) |
(adj.) arising naturally; not planned or engineered in advance.
Actors try to make their performances seem as spontaneous as possible. syn.- unpremeditated, unplanned, impromptu ant.- premeditated, planned, contrived, rehearsed |
