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31 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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skirmish (N)
there was a skirmish over the budget |
A short argument
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avow (V)
he avowed that he had voted Republican in every election |
Assert or confess openly
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craven (ADJ)
a craven abdication of his moral duty |
Contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly
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abdication (N)
we are witnessing an abdication of responsibility on the part of state governments |
Failure to fulfill a responsibility or duty
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tautology (N)
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The saying of the same thing twice in different words, generally considered to be a fault of style (e.g., they arrived one after the other in succession)
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plumb (V)
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Measure (the depth of a body of water)
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heterodox (N)
heterodox views |
Not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs
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magnanimity (N)
both sides will have to show magnanimity |
The fact or condition of being magnanimous; generosity
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enterprise (N)
a joint enterprise between French and Japanese companies |
A project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort
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crestfallen (ADJ)
he came back empty-handed and crestfallen |
Sad and disappointed
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imbue (V)
the entire performance was imbued with sparkle and élan |
Inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality
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gregarious (ADJ)
he was a popular and gregarious man |
Fond of company; sociable
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prerogative (N)
owning an automobile was still the prerogative of the rich |
A right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class
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paragon (N)
it would have taken a paragon of virtue not to feel viciously jealous |
A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality
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gadfly (N)
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A fly that bites livestock, esp. a horsefly, warble fly, or botfly
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mirth (N)
his six-foot frame shook with mirth |
Amusement, esp. as expressed in laughter
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gruel (N)
Goldielocks ate gruel |
A thin liquid food of oatmeal or other meal boiled in milk or water
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crux (N)
the crux of the matter is that attitudes have changed |
The decisive or most important point at issue
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pied (ADJ)
a brindle colored dog is pied |
Having two or more different colors
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balk (N)
any gardener will at first balk at enclosing the garden |
Hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking
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ethnology (N)
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`The study of the characteristics of various peoples and the differences and relationships between them
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circumspect (ADJ)
the officials were very circumspect in their statements |
Wary and unwilling to take risks
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insipid (ADJ)
mugs of insipid coffee |
Lacking flavor
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contentious (ADJ)
a contentious issue |
Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial
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pensive (ADJ)
a pensive mood |
Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought
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boon (N)
the navigation system will be a boon to both civilian and military users |
A thing that is helpful or beneficial
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purported (ADJ)
she is not the person she purports to be |
Appear or claim to be or do something, esp. falsely; profess
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jibe (V)
the verdict does not jibe with the medical evidence |
Be in accord; agree
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peroration (N)
speeches usually end in peroration |
The concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience
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explicate (V)
attempting to explicate the relationship between crime and economic forces |
Analyze and develop (an idea or principle) in detail
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opulence (N)
rooms of spectacular opulence |
Great wealth or luxuriousness
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