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27 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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ascetic (ADJ)
an ascetic life of prayer, fasting, and manual labor |
Characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons
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cynosure (N)
the Queen was the cynosure of all eyes |
A person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration
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jocund (ADJ)
she jocundly danced around |
merry
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ensconce (V)
Agnes ensconced herself in their bedroom |
Establish or settle (someone) in a comfortable, safe, or secret place
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vitriolic (ADJ)
vitriolic outbursts |
Filled with bitter criticism or malice
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peremptory (ADJ)
“Just do it!” came the peremptory reply |
(esp. of a person's manner or actions) Insisting on immediate attention or obedience, esp. in a brusquely imperious way
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bate (V)
He bated his breath when talking about this affair" |
moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
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munificent (ADJ)
a munificent gesture |
(of a gift or sum of money) Larger or more generous than is usual or necessary
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paean (N)
his books are paeans to combat |
A thing that expresses enthusiastic praise
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gambit (N)
his resignation was a tactical gambit |
A device, action, or opening remark, typically one entailing a degree of risk, that is calculated to gain an advantage
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formidable (ADJ)
a formidable opponent |
Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable
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delineate (V)
the law should delineate and prohibit behavior that is socially abhorrent |
Describe or portray (something) precisely
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fancier (N)
a pigeon fancier |
A connoisseur or enthusiast of something, esp. someone who has a special interest in or breeds a particular animal
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rejoinder (V)
she would have made some cutting rejoinder but none came to mind |
A reply, esp. a sharp or witty one
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equivocal (ADJ)
the equivocal nature of her remarks |
Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous
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peccadillo (N)
a peccadillo infraction |
A small, relatively unimportant offense or sin
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debonair (ADJ)
a debonair gentleman |
(of a man) Confident, stylish, and charming
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lope (V)
the dog was loping along by his side |
Run or move with a long bounding stride
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quarry (N)
a diamond quarry |
A place, typically a large, deep pit, from which stone or other materials are or have been extracted
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accoutre (V)
he was accoutred with the finest equipment |
Clothe or equip, typically in something noticeable or impressive
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recalcitrant (V)
a class of recalcitrant fifteen-year-olds |
Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline
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remiss (V)
it would be very remiss of me not to pass on that information |
Lacking care or attention to duty; negligent
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volition (N)
without conscious volition she backed into her office |
The faculty or power of using one's will
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capricious (ADJ)
a capricious and often brutal administration |
Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
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collation (N)
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A light, informal meal
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spoonerism (N)
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A verbal error in which a speaker accidentally transposes the initial sounds or letters of two or more words, often to humorous effect, as in the sentence you have hissed the mystery lectures, accidentally spoken instead of the intended sentence you have missed the history lectures
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forbearance (N)
forbearance from taking action |
Patient self-control; restraint and tolerance
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