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240 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Idiom (n.)
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an expression whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of the words; a language or dialect used by a group of people
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Imbue (v.)
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to inspire; to permeate or tinge
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Impasse (n.)
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a deadlock; a situation from which there is no escape
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Impeach (v.)
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to accuse or indict; to challenge; call into question
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Impecunious (adj.)
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without money; penniless
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Impede (v.)
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to obstruct or interfere with; to delay
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Impending (adj.)
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approaching; imminent; looming
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Impenetrable (adj.)
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incapable of being penetrated; impervious
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Imperative (adj.)
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completely necessary; vitally important
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Impetuous (adj.)
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rash; over-impulsive; headlong
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Implication (n.)
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something implied or suggested; ramification
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Importune (v.)
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to urge with annoying persistence; to trouble
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Impoverish (v.)
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to reduce to poverty; to make destitute
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Impregnable (adj.)
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unconquerable; able to withstand attack
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Impresario (n.)
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a person who manages public entertainments
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Impromptu (adj.)
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done without preparation, on te spur of the moment
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Improvise (v.)
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to perform without preparation; to make do with whatever materials are available
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Impunity (n.)
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freedom from punishment or harm
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Inadvertent (adj.)
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unintentional; heedless; not planned
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Inalienable (adj.)
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sacred; incapable of being transferred, lot or taken
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Incarnation (n.)
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embodiment
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Incendiary (adj.)
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used for setting property n fire; tending to
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Inclination (n.)
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tendency; preference; liking
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Inculcate (v.)
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to instill or implant by repeated suggestions or admonitions
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Incumbent (adj.)
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currently holding in office; obligatory
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Incursion (n.)
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a hostile invasion; a raid
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Indict (v.)
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to charge with crime; to accuse of wrong doing
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Induce (v.)
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to persuade; to influence; to cause
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Ineluctable (adj.)
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inescapable; incapable of being resisted or avoided
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Ineradicable (adj.)
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incapable of being removed or destroyed or eradicated
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Inflammatory (adj.)
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fiery; tending to arouse passion or anger; incendiary
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Influx (n.)
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inflow; arrival of large numbers of people or things; inundation
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Infraction (n.)
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violation; infringement; the breaking of a law
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Infrastructure (n.)
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the basic framework of a system; foundation
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Infringe (v.)
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to violate; to encroach or trespass
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Infuse (v.)
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to introduce into; to instill
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Ingratiate (v.)
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to work to make yourself liked
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Inimical (adj.)
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unfavorable; harmful; detrimental; hostile
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Inimitable (adj.)
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impossible to imitate; incomparable; matchless; the best
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Innuendo (n.)
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an insinuation; a sly hint
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Inquisition (n.)
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ruthless questioning; an official investigation characterized by cruelty
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Insouciant (adj.)
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nonchalant; lighthearted; carefree
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Insufferable (adj.)
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unbearable; intolerable
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Insuperable (adj.)
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unable to be overcome; insurmountable
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Insurrection (n.)
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an act of open rebellion against authority; a revolt
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Integral (adj.)
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essential; indispensable
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Interim (n.)
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meantime; an intervening time; a temporary arrangement
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Interloper (n.)
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intruder; trespasser; unwanted person
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Interlude (n.)
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an intervening episode; an intermission; a pause
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Interminable (adj.)
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seemingly unending; tediously long
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Intermittent (adj.)
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occasional; repeatedly starting and stopping; recurrent
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Intersperse (v.)
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to place at intervals; to scatter among
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Intervene (v.)
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to come between opposing groups; to mediate
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Intimate (v.)
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to hind or imply
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Intricate (adj.)
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complicated; sophisticated; having many parts or facets
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Intrigue (n.)
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a secret scheme; a crafty plot
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Invidious (adj.)
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causing envy or resentment; offensively harmful
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Inviolate (adj.)
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free from injury; pure
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Invoke (v.)
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to entreat or pray for; to call on as in prayer; to declare to be in effect
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Iridescent (adj.)
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displaying glowing,changing colors
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Jargon (n.)
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the specialized language or vocabulary of a particular jo or a trade
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Jaunt (n.)
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a short pleasure trip
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Jingoism (n.)
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belligerent, chauvinistic patriotism; war-mongering
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Jocular (adj.)
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humorous; jolly; fond of joking
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Jubilation (n.)
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exultant joy
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Junction (n.)
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convergence; linkup; the act or state of being joined together
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Junta (n.)
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a small group ruling a country after a coup d'etat
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Karma (n.)
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a good or bad emanations from someone or something
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Larceny (n.)
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theft; robbery
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Lascivious (adj.)
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lustful; obscene; lewd
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Lavish (v.)
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to spend freely or bestow generously; to squander
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Lax (adj.)
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negligent; lazy; irresponsible
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Layman (n.)
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a nonprofessional; a person who is not a member of the clergy
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Liaison (n.)
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connection; association; alliance; secret love affair
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Licentious (adj.)
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lascivious; lewd; promiscuous; amoral
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Limpid (adj.)
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clear; transparent; lucid
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Listless (adj.)
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sluggish without energy or enthusiasm
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Litany (n.)
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recital or list; tedious recounting
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Livid (adj.)
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discolored; black and blue; enraged
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Loath (adj.)
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extremely unwilling; reluctant
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Lobby (v.)
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to urge legislative action; to exert influence
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Lout (n.)
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boor; oaf; clod
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Ludicrous (adj.)
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ridiculous; absurd
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Lyrical (adj.)
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melodious; songlike; poetic
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Malapropism (n.)
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humorous misuse of a word that sounds similar to the word intended but has a ludicrously different meaning
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Mania (n.)
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crazed, excessive excitement; insanity; delusion
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Marginal (adj.)
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related to or located at the margin or border; at the lower limit of quality; insignificant
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Materialistic (adj.)
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preoccupied with the material things; greedy for possessions
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Mawkish (adj.)
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overly sentimental; maudlin
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Meander (v.)
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to travel along a winding or indirect route; to ramble from topic to topic
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Medium (n.)
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the means by which something is conveyed or accomplished; a substance through which something is transferred or conveyed
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Melancholy (adj.)
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gloomy; depressed and weary
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Melee (n.)
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a brawl; a confused fight or struggle; a violent free-for all
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Menagerie (n.)
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a collection of animals
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Meticulous (adj.)
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precise and careful about details; fussy
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Millennium (n.)
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a period of 1,000 years;
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Mire (n.)
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marshy, mucky ground
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Mode (n.)
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method of doing; type; manner; fashion
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Modulate (v.)
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to reduce or regulate; to lessen the intensity of
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Momentum (n.)
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force of movement; speed; impetus
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Moratorium (n.)
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suspension of activity; a period of delay
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Mores (n.)
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customary moral standards
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Motif (n.)
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reoccurring theme or idea
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Motley (adj.)
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extremely varied or diverse; heterogeneous
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Municipal (adj.)
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pertaining to a city or town and its government
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Muse (v.)
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to ponder; to meditate
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Muster (v.)
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to assemble for battle or inspection; to summon up
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Mystic (adj.)
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otherworldly; mysterious; enigmatic
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Nebulous (adj.)
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vague or indistinct; unclear; hazy
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Nemesis (n.)
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unconquerable opponent or rival; one who seeks just compensation or revenge to right a wrong
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Neophyte (n.)
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beginner; novice
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Nirvana (n.)
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blissful, painless, worry free state
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Noisome (adj.)
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offensive or disgusting; stinking; noxious
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Nomadic (adj.)
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wondering from place to place; without a permanent home
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Nomenclature (n.)
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a set or system of names
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Nonchalant (adj.)
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indifferent; coolly unconcerned; blase
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Nullify (v.)
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to repeal; to cancel; to void`
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Obeisance (n.)
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a blow or curtsy; deep reverence
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Objective (adj.)
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unbiased; unprejudiced
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Obtrusive (adj.)
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interfering; meddlesome; having a tendency to butt in
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Obviate (v.)
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to make unnecessary
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Occult (n.)
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supernatural; magic; mystical
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Odious (adj.)
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hateful; evil; vile
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Odyssey (n.)
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a long, difficult journey usually marked by many change of fortune
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Olfactory (adj.)
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pertaining to the sense of smell
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Oligarchy (n.)
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government by only a very few people
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Ominous (adj.)
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threatening; menacing; portending doom
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Omniscient (adj.)
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all knowing; having infinite wisdom
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Opprobrious (adj.)
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damning; extremely critical; disgraceful
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Ordinance (n.)
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regulation; decree; law
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Oscillate (v.)
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to swing back and forth; to pulsate; to waver or vacillate between belies or ideas
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Osmosis (n.)
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gradual or subtle absorption
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Ostracize (v.)
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to shun; to shut out or exclude a person from a group
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Oust (v.)
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to eject; to expel; to banish
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Override (v.)
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to overrule; to prevail over
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Overture (n.)
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opening move; preliminary offer;
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Oxymoron (n.)
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a figure of speech in which two contradictory words or phrases are used together
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Palatable (adj.)
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pleasant to the taste; agreeable to the feelings
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Pallor (n.)
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paleness; whiteness
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Pandemic (adj.)
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prevalent throughout a large area
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Panegyric (n.)
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elaborate praise; eulogy
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Parable (n.)
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religious allegory; fable; morality tale
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Paragon (n.)
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a model or pattern of excellence
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Parallel (adj.)
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similar; comparable
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Paranoia (n.)
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a mental illness in which the sufferer believes people are out to get him
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Paranormal (adj.)
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having to do with an event or events that can't be explained scientifically
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Paroxysm (n.)
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a sudden, violent outburst; a severe attack
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Partition (n.)
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division; dividing wall
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Pastoral (adj.)
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rural; rustic; peaceful and calm, like the country
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Pathos (n.)
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that which makes people pity or sorrow
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Patina (n.)
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surface discoloration caused by age and oxidation
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Patrimony (n.)
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an inheritance, especially from a father; a legacy
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Peculiar (adj.)
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unusual; bizarre; individual; belonging to a particular region
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Peregrination (n.)
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wandering; traveling; expedition
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Perpetrator (n.)
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the one who committed the act
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Perpetuate (v.)
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to make something perpetual; to keep from perishing
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Perverse (adj.)
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contrary; stubborn
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Phantasm (n.)
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apparition; ghost; phantom
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Phlegmatic (adj.)
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calm or indifferent; not easily roused to excitement
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Pilgrimage (n.)
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religious or spiritual journey; excursion
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Placebo (n.)
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a fake medication; a fake medication
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Platonic (adj.)
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nonsexual; purely spiritual
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Plausible (adj.)
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believable; convincing
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Pliable (adj.)
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flexible; easy to bend; easy to convince, persuade
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Plight (n.)
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a dangerous, distressing or unpleasant situation
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Plunder (v.)
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to loot; to ransack
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Pluralism (n.)
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a condition of society in which distinct groups exist and function together yet retain their own identities
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Pontificate (v.)
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to speak pompously or dogmatically
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Porous (adj.)
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filled with many tiny holes; permeable; absorbent
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Posterity (n.)
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future generations; descendants; heirs
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Posthumous (adj.)
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occurring after one's death; published after the death of the author
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Posture (v.)
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to act or speak artificially or affectedly
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Prattle (v.)
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to chatter on and on; to babble childishly
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Precarious (adj.)
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dangerously insecure or unsteady
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Precocious (adj.)
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unusually mature; uncommonly gifte
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Predecessor (n.)
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someone or something that precedes in time
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Predicament (n.)
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a dangerous or unpleasant situation; dilemma
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Predispose (v.)
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to make susceptible; to put in a frame o mind for; to incline toward
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Predominant (adj.)
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most important; dominant; having power over others
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Pregnant (adj.)
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highly significant; overflowing
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Prelude (n.)
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introduction; something that precedes something else
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Premeditated (ad.)
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planned beforehand; prearranged; plotted
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Preponderance (n.)
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superiority in weight, number and size,
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Presage (v.)
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to portend; to foreshadow; to forecast or predict
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Presentiment (n.)
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the feeling that something (especially something bad) is about to happen
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Presumably (adv.)
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probably; the assumption is that; doubtless
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Presuppose (v.)
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to assume beforehand; to take for granted in advance
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Primal (adj.)
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first; original; of the greatest importance
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Pristine (adj.)
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perfectly clean and untouched; uncontaminated
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Privation (n.)
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lack of comforts or necessities; poverty
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Proclaim (v.)
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to announce; declare; make known
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Procure (v.)
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to obtain or acquire by special means
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Progeny (n.)
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offspring; descendants
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Propagate (v.)
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to reproduce; to multiply; to spread or disseminate
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Propound (v.)
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to set forth or propose; to offer for consideration
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Protege (n.)
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a person under the care of someone interested in his welfare or career
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Protocol (n.)
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diplomatic etiquette and customs
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Provocation (n.)
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the act of provoking; incitement; cause
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Prowess (n.)
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exceptional skill or strength; uncommon bravery
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Prurient (v.)
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having lustful thought or desires; causing lust
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Pseudonym (n.)
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a false name; an alias
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Psyche (n.)
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the human soul; the mind; the spirit
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Pummel (v.)
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to pound or punch with the fists
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Punctilious (adj.)
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meticulously attentive to detail; scrupulously
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Pundit (n.)
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an expert; an authority; a learned person
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Pungent (adj.)
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sharp-tasting or sharp-smelling; acrid; caustic or incisive
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Punitive (adj. )
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inflicting punishment
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Purblind (ad.)
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dim-sighted; practically blind; lacking understanding or imagination
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Puritanical (adj.)
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very severe and strict about morals
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Quaint (adj.)
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pleasantly old-fashioned; picturesque
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Quandary (n.)
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state of perplexity; predicament
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Quasi (adv/adj)
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almost; near; resembling
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Quay (n.)
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a landing on the edge of the water; wharf; pier
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Quell (v.
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to put an end to; to squelch; to suppress
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Query (n.)
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a question; an inquiry
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Queue (n.)
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a line or file
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Quiescent (adj.)
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motionless; at rest; still
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Quintessential (adj.)
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being the most perfect example of
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Quizzical (adj.)
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teasing; mocking; questioning
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Quotidian (adj.)
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daily; everyday; ordinary
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Rampant (adj.)
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widespread; uncontrollable; prevalent; raging
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Rapture (n.)
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ecstasy; bliss; unequaled joy
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Rarefied (adj.)
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esoteric; interesting to a select group only
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Ratify ( v.)
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to confim; to approve something formally
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Ratiocination (n.)
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logical reasoning
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Rationale (n.)
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underlying reason; basis; reasoning
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Raucous (adj.)
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stridently loud; harsh; rowdy
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Reactionary (adj.)
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ultraconservative; right-wing; backward-thinking
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Rebuff (v.)
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to snub; to reject
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Recidivism (n.)
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the act of repeating an offense
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Reclaim (v.)
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to make uncultivated areas of land fit for cultivation
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Redeem (v.)
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to buy back; to fulfill; to make up for
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Redress (v.)
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to remedy; to make amends for
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Referendum (n.)
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a public vote on measure proposed or passed by a legislature
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Refractory (adj.)
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disobedient and hard to manage; resisting treatment
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Regime (n.)
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a governing power
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Regimen (n.)
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regulated course
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Remission (n.)
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the temporary or permanent disappearance of a disease
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Remuneration (n.)
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payment; recompense
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Rend (v.)
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to tear; to rip
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