Vocab Cards

Front 1

adverse [adj] unfavorable,negative,working;working against,hostile

Back 1

Some people suffer an adverse reaction if they eat peanut butter or anything with peanuts.

syn.-difficult

Front 2

arid [adj] extremely dry; uninteresting,dull

Back 2

although California leads the nation in farming, crops won't grow in it's most arid regions.

syn.- water less

Front 3

assailant [n] a person who attacks violently [with blows or words]

Back 3

the jogger was injured by an unknown assailant,who left him immoble at the the side of the road.

syn.-assaulter

Front 4

billow [n] a large wave; [v] to rise or swell like a wave

Back 4

The ocean billows rose and fell,attracting the most daring surfers

Fans cheered enthusiastically when they saw their team's flags billow over the stadium

syn.- surge

Front 5

confront [v] to meat face -to- face , especially as a challenge ;come to grips with

Back 5

In court defendants can confront their accusers in a controlled setting. syn.- encounter

Front 6

constrain [v] to force,compel; to restrain,hold back

Back 6

You can't constrin me against my will.

syn.-limit

Front 7

contemporary [adj] belonging to the same period of time

Back 7

His novel used a contemporary style but had a historical setting

syn.- [adj] present -day

Front 8

depict [v] to portray; to represent or show in the form of a picture

Back 8

the painter choose to depict a plain prairie landscape using bold colors and shadows

Front 9

disinterested [adj]- fair-minded ,free from selfish motives ;indifferent

Back 9

A judge must remain disinterested in order to render an evenhanded and logical decision

syn.-impartial

Front 10

encompass [v]-to encircle, go reach around;to enclose;to include with a certain group or class

Back 10

oceans encompass about three -fourths of the surface of our planet

syn.-surround

Front 11

groundless [adj] without any good reason or cause,unjustified

Back 11

Kate's groundless fear of hurting herself during exercise has left her weak and out of shape

Front 12

hypocrite [n] a person who pretends to be what he or she is not, or better than he or she really is ;a two-faced person

Back 12

The speaker who said one thing but did something else entirely was regarded as a hypocrite

syn. phony

Front 13

incomprehensible adj.-impossible to understand

syn,-confusing

Back 13

Our school's intercom system is so old that this morning's announcements were almost incomprehensible

Front 14

manipulate [v] to handle or use skillfully;to manage or control for personal gain or advantage

Back 14

scientists should not manipulate data

syn.- exploit

Front 15

maximum [n] the greatest possible amount or degree syn. -highest

Back 15

The postage scale can weigh a maximum of of only 5 pounds

To ease the patient's suffering ,the doctor prescribed the maximum painkillers

Front 16

mimic [n] a person who does imitations; [v] to imitate;to make fun of

Back 16

The comedy troupe needs to hire a mimic

Troy can mimic any accent he hears

syn.-copycat

Front 17

ruffle [v] to wrinkle,make uneven,to annoy,upset; to flip through;

[n] material used for trimming edges ; a ripple; a low drumbeat

Back 17

His wisecracks always ruffle my feelings .

My favorite pillow has a velvet ruffle

syn.-frill

Front 18

serene [adj] peaceful,calm;free of emotional upset; clear and free of storm;majestic,grand

Back 18

She stayed serene in the face of chaos .

syn.-fair

Front 19

sheepish [adj] embarrassed ;resembling a sheep in meekness ,timid

Back 19

His sheepish grin made the crowds cheer all the more for his unlikely victory .

syn- shamefaced

Front 20

stamina [n] the strength needed to keep going or overcome physical or mental strain ; staying power

Back 20

Marathon runners need a great deal of stamina to cover the many miles .