Vf Sept 07 B

Front 1

banquette

Back 1

–noun
1. a long bench with an upholstered seat, esp. one along a wall, as in a restaurant.

2. an embankment for buttressing the base of a levee and forming a berm.

Front 2

roman à clef

Back 2

(rō-mäɴ' ä klā')

a novel that represents historical events and characters under the guise of fiction.

Front 3

boon

Back 3

noun
1. something to be thankful for; blessing; benefit.

2. something that is asked; a favor sought

Front 4

phalanx

Back 4

noun
1. (in ancient Greece) a group of heavily armed infantry formed in ranks and files close and deep, with shields joined and long spears overlapping.

2. a number of individuals, esp. persons united for a common purpose.

3. a compact or closely massed body of persons, animals, or things., esp. troops

Front 5

odalisque

Back 5

noun

a female slave or concubine in a harem, esp. in that of the sultan of Turkey.

Front 6

beard

Back 6

noun

One who serves to divert suspicion or attention from another.

Front 7

sublime

Back 7

–adjective
1. elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc.: Paradise Lost is sublime poetry.

2. impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power; inspiring awe, veneration, etc.: Switzerland has sublime scenery.

3. supreme or outstanding: a sublime dinner.

4. complete; absolute; utter: sublime stupidity.

Front 8

snit

Back 8

noun
an agitated or irritated state.

Front 9

ire

Back 9

–noun
intense anger; wrath.

Front 10

obtuse

Back 10

noun
#

1. Lacking quickness of perception or intellect.

2. Characterized by a lack of intelligence or sensitivity: an obtuse remark.

3. Not distinctly felt: an obtuse pain.

4. Not sharp, pointed, or acute in form; blunt.

5. Having an obtuse angle: an obtuse triangle.

6. Botany. Having a blunt or rounded tip: an obtuse leaf.


Synonyms 1. unfeeling, tactless, insensitive; blind, imperceptive, unobservant; gauche, boorish; slow, dim.

Front 11

cynosure

Back 11

noun
1. something that strongly attracts attention by its brilliance, interest, etc.: the cynosure of all eyes.

2. something serving for guidance or direction.

Front 12

marmoreal

Back 12

–adjective
of or like marble: skin of marmoreal smoothness.

Front 13

saturnine

Back 13

adj.

1. Having the temperament of one born under the supposed astrological influence of Saturn.

2.A Melancholy or sullen.

2.B. Having or marked by a tendency to be bitter or sardonic: a saturnine expression on his face.

3. Produced by absorption of lead.

Front 14

grizzled

Back 14

adj

grey

Front 15

rapacious

Back 15

adj

1. Taking by force; plundering.

2. Greedy; ravenous; voracious.

3. Subsisting on live prey.

Front 16

tableau

Back 16

noun

A vivid or graphic description:
The movie was a tableau of a soldier's life.