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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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bewail
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v. To express deep regret or sorrow over.
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"She bewailed it as exceedingly unlucky that the ladies should happen to go away just as they were all getting so intimate together."
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destitute
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adj. 1) Without resources or possessions, especially the necessities of life.
2) Lacking; devoid of. |
"He gave thanks for our food and comfort, and prayed for the poor and destitute in great cities, where the struggle for life was harder than it was here with us."
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detract
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v. To take away, especially from the value, beauty, or importance of.
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"She was growing a little stout, but it did not seem to detract from the grace of every step, pose, and gesture."
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emancipate
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v. To set free from slavery; to liberate.
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Some teenagers feel emancipated when they finally earn their driver's license.
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extol
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v. To praise highly.
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"A man can scarce allege his own merits with modesty, much less extol them."
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impetus
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n. 1) A driving force; anything that causes an action.
2) Increased activity resulting from a driving force. |
Her hope of gaining a spot on the team provided the impetus for months of hard work.
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insuperable
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adj. Incapable of being overcome or defeated.
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During my senior year, passing Greek seemed an insuperable obstacle to my graduating with my class.
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intermittent
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adj. Not continuous; happening at intervals.
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Showers were intermittent throughout the day, although the forecast had promised sunshine.
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maxim
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n. A general truth or rule of conduct; a short saying.
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Remember the maxim "Haste makes waste" and slow down!
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obligatory
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adj. Required or demanded.
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P.E. is obligatory unless you have a medical excuse for gym class.
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plumb
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v. 1) To measure the depth of water.
2) To reach the deepest part of. 3) To understand by examining closely; to solve. adj. Straight up and down; vertical. |
The lake was too deep for us to plumb.
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vagabond
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n. A person who wanders from place to place.
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(used as adj.) The vagabond life of the traveling musicians suited the band members.
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visage
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n. A face, especially one that expresses feelings.
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The smiling visage of a young girl looked out from the portrait.
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wheedle
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v. To coax or gain by using sly persuasion or insincere praise.
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He tried to wheedle his father into lending him the new sports car.
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flamboyant
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adj. Excessively showy; unrestrained.
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With an air of flamboyance, the actor flung out her arm and pointed to the door.
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