Vocab2

Front 1

imbecile

Back 1

1. Psychology. a person of the second order in a former classification of mental retardation, above the level of idiocy, having a mental age of seven or eight years and an intelligence quotient of 25 to 50.
2. a dunce; blockhead; dolt.

Front 2

sacrosanct

Back 2

1. extremely sacred or inviolable: a sacrosanct chamber in the temple.
2. not to be entered or trespassed upon: She considered her home office sacrosanct.
3. above or beyond criticism, change, or interference: a manuscript deemed sacrosanct.

Front 3

panjandrum

Back 3

a self-important or pretentious official.

Front 4

placate

Back 4

to appease or pacify, esp. by concessions or conciliatory gestures: to placate an outraged citizenry.

Front 5

expound

Back 5

v. tr.

To give a detailed statement of; set forth: expounded the intricacies of the new tax law.
To explain in detail; elucidate: The speaker expounded the approach of positive thinking. See Synonyms at explain.

v. intr.
To make a detailed statement: The professor was expounding on a favorite topic.

Front 6

incredulity

Back 6

the quality or state of being incredulous; inability or unwillingness to believe.

Front 7

execration

Back 7

1. the act of execrating.
2. a curse or imprecation: The execrations of the prophet terrified the sinful multitude.
3. the object execrated; a thing held in abomination.

Front 8

peremptory

Back 8

–adjective 1. leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative: a peremptory command.
2. imperious or dictatorial.
3. positive or assertive in speech, tone, manner, etc.

Front 9

irascible

Back 9

1. easily provoked to anger; very irritable: an irascible old man.
2. characterized or produced by anger: an irascible response.

Front 10

victualler

Back 10

1. a person who furnishes victuals, esp. a sutler.
2. a supply ship.
3. Also called licensed victualer. British. the keeper of an inn or tavern, esp. one licensed to sell liquor.

Front 11

sordid

Back 11

1. morally ignoble or base; vile: sordid methods.
2. meanly selfish, self-seeking, or mercenary.
3. dirty or filthy.
4. squalid; wretchedly poor and run-down: sordid housing.

Front 12

tactiturn

Back 12

not inclined to talk

Front 13

loquacity

Back 13

1. the state of being loquacious; talkativeness; garrulity.
2. an instance of talkativeness or garrulity; a loquacious flow of talk: The sherry increased my loquacity.

Front 14

propensity

Back 14

1. a natural inclination or tendency: a propensity to drink too much.
2. Obsolete. favorable disposition or partiality.

Front 15

aggrieve

Back 15

1. to oppress or wrong grievously; injure by injustice.
2. to afflict with pain, anxiety, etc.

Front 16

profundity

Back 16

1. the quality or state of being profound; depth.
2. Usually, profundities. profound or deep matters.
3. a profoundly deep place; abyss.

Front 17

providential

Back 17

1. of, pertaining to, or resulting from divine providence: providential care.
2. opportune, fortunate, or lucky: a providential event.

Front 18

malevolence

Back 18

the quality, state, or feeling of being malevolent; ill will; malice; hatred.

Front 19

exasperation

Back 19

1. an act or instance of exasperating; provocation.
2. the state of being exasperated; irritation; extreme annoyance: Her exasperation at being interrupted was understandable.

Front 20

declamations

Back 20

A recitation delivered as an exercise in rhetoric or elocution.

Vehement oratory.
A speech marked by strong feeling; a tirade.

Front 21

lurid

Back 21

1. gruesome; horrible; revolting: the lurid details of an accident.
2. glaringly vivid or sensational; shocking: the lurid tales of pulp magazines.
3. terrible in intensity, fierce passion, or unrestraint: lurid crimes.
4. lighted or shining with an unnatural, fiery glow; wildly or garishly red: a lurid sunset.
5. wan, pallid, or ghastly in hue; livid.