Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
30 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
|
Auspices (pl) (n)
|
Protection or support; patronage
|
The project to clean up the river was begun under the auspices of the Enviornmental Protection Agency.
|
|
|
Auspicious (adj)
|
Attended by favorable circumstances
|
The Romans often looked to the skies to determine whether it was an auspicious day for an important undertaking.
|
|
|
Circumspect (adj)
|
Heedful (aware of and attentive to) of circumstances or consequences; prudent (Acting with or showing care and thought for the future; cautious - discreet - wary - careful - circumspect)
|
The circumspect overseas representative carefully observed the customs and laws of all the countries in which he transacted business.
|
|
|
Despicable (adj)
|
Deserving of scorn or contempt; vile
|
The despicable woman stole money from her relatives.
|
|
|
Introspective (adj)
|
Self-examining; thinking about one’s won thoughts and feelings
|
In her rare introspective moments, the busy woman consideredherself to be fortunate.
|
|
|
Perspicuity (n)
|
-The quality of being clearly expressed or easily understood
|
The perspicuity of the text allowed students to grasp the highly technical subject.
|
|
|
Prospective (adj)
|
Likely to become or be/Likely to happen; expected
|
The admissions officer interviewed the prospective college student.
|
|
|
Specious (adj)
|
Having the ring of truth but actually false
--Superficially plausible, but actually wrong: "a specious argument". |
The scientific paper was filled with specious arguments; therefore, many people were against the acceptance of its theory.
|
|
|
Specter (n)
|
A phantom; apparition/A threatening or haunting possibility
|
In the stories of Edgar Allan Poe, the main characters often see specters and hear imagined sounds.
|
|
|
Spectrum (n)
|
A broad sequence or range of related qualities, ideas, or activities
|
The actress showed that she was capable of portraying the entire spectrum of human emotions.
|
|
|
Acuity (n)
|
Acuteness of perception; keenness.
|
The eagle's visual acuity enabled it to hunt successfully.
|
|
|
Consummate (v)
|
Supremely accomlished or skilled.
|
The conssumate pianist made a world-renowned recording of the sonata.
|
|
|
Cunning (adj)
|
Skill or adeptness in performance.
|
His cunning manipulation of the props and lights helped to make the performance spectacular.
|
|
|
Deft (adj)
|
Skillful; adroit (clever)
|
The deft weavers in Iran produce beautiful and intricate carpets.
|
|
|
Endowment (n)
|
A natural gift or quality.
|
Climbers must have a great endowment of courage to conquer a mountain.
|
|
|
Facile (adj)
|
Done or achieved with little effort; easy.
|
The pole-vaulter was able to negotiate the high bar in a graceful, seemingly facile manner.
|
|
|
Incompetent (adj)
|
Not capable; not well qualified.
|
The capable surgeon proved to be incompetent as a hospital administrator because he had no previous experience or training in management.
|
|
|
Inept (adj)
|
Awkward or clumsy.
|
The inept cook splattered the walls of the kitchen with cake batter.
|
|
|
Proficient (adj)
|
Performing a skill with facility.
|
The proficient programmer learned the new computer language in a very short time.
|
|
|
Propensity (n)
|
An innate inclination; tendency.
|
The painter had an artistic propensity even as a youngster.
|
|
|
Beseech (v)
|
To address an earnest or urgent request to.
|
I beseech you to see the doctor before your illness gets worse.
|
|
|
Blandishment (n)
|
The act of coaxing by flattery.
|
Although she smiled at his blandishments, she didn't believe a word he said.
|
|
|
Cajole (v)
|
To coax gently and persistently.
|
To cajole her mother into buying the skates, Amanda told her mother that she was the best parent in the neighborhood.
|
|
|
Elicit (v)
|
To bring out; evoke.
|
Benjamin Frankling elicited the assistance of France for the Colonial army during the Revolutionary War.
|
|
|
Enjoin (v)
|
To direct with authority and emphasis.
|
The director of the school enjoined her staff to be more aware of the needs of the gifted children.
|
|
|
Exigent (adj)
|
Requiring immediate attention or remedy.
|
His exigent call for help brought people to his assistance.
|
|
|
Imperious (adj)
|
Arrogantly domineering or overbearing.
|
Commanding and imperious, the president ordered his press secretary to deny all requests for information and interviews.
|
|
|
Injunction (v)
|
A command, directive, or order.
|
The serfs were forced to obey any injunction made by the lord of the castle.
|
|
|
Mendicant (n)
|
A beggar.
|
When the medicant held out her hand to ask me for money, I saw how tattered the sleeves of her blouse and jacket were.
|
|
|
Query (n)
|
A question; inquiry.
|
In response to his query about tropical vegetation, the librarian gave him a reference book and told him what to look up.
|
