Lesson 8 Study Tool

Front 1

Acquiesce V.

Back 1

to give in, to comply

I was so desperate that I had to acquiesce to his demands.

Front 2

Affinity N.

Back 2

a likeness, a natural relationship, a kinship

Having suffered himself, he felt an affinity for the homeless.

Front 3

Blasphemous Adj.

Back 3

irreverent, profane; against religious or things considered sacred

Ting that sacrilegious joke is blasphemous.

Front 4

Buttress N.

Back 4

a support or a prop

Many cathedrals are supported by buttresses

Front 5

Circumspect Adj.

Back 5

careful to consider consequences, cautious, prudent

Her circumspect behavior left no doubts as to her integrity.

Front 6

Corroboration N.

Back 6

confirmation

Fortunately, I had some corroboration for my whereabouts on the night of the crime.

Front 7

Deplete V.

Back 7

to use up gradually, to lessen in amount or value

Our oil reserves have been depleted because of years of drilling and pumping.

Front 8

Despotic Adj.

Back 8

tyrannical

Americans do not like despotic behavior.

Front 9

Emaciated Adj.

Back 9

very thin, wasting away

As a result of receiving little food, most prisoners of concentration camps become extremely emaciated.

Front 10

Empirical Adj.

Back 10

based on observation or experiment and not on theory.

We need some empirical data to make our case solid.

Front 11

Extraneous Adj.

Back 11

not essential or vital (extra)

The extraneous assignments left the student with little time for himself.

Front 12

Fallow Adj.

Back 12

inactive, plowed but not sowed

In order for land to be productive, it must lie fallow occasionally.

Front 13

Homogeneous Adj.

Back 13

of the same kind

To get the best results with this research, we need a homogeneous group of people to fill out the questionnaire.

Front 14

Hyperbole Adj.

Back 14

obvious exaggeration

You have often heard the hyperbole "I've told you a million times;" it's an obvious exaggeration.

Front 15

Incontrovertible Adj.

Back 15

indisputable

The district attorney was looking for incontrovertible evidence to prove that the accused arsonist burned the bank.

Front 16

Irascible Adj.

Back 16

irritable, easily angered, cranky, cross

Just about anything could set off his irascible temper.

Front 17

Laconic Adj.

Back 17

using a minimum of words; concise to the point of seeming rude

After the loss, the coach's remarks were laconic.

Front 18

Magnanimity N.

Back 18

having a lofty, generous, and courageous spirit

The magnanimity of the king endeared him to his subjects.

Front 19

Obsequious Adj.

Back 19

overly attentive, like a sycophant, servile

I believe that his obsequious behavior toward his grandmother is to ensure being included in the will.

Front 20

Proliferation N.

Back 20

an increase in number, multiplication

Many are afraid of nuclear proliferation and the possibility that a terrorist country will explode a bomb.

Front 21

Scrupulous Adj.

Back 21

very principled, very careful and conscientious (doing the right thing)

The scrupulous police officer never took a bribe, and he ceaselessly tried to prevent crime.

Front 22

Sublime Adj.

Back 22

exalted, noble, uplifting, outstanding; impressive

The romantic dinner, which included delicious food, soft music, and a beautiful setting, was simply sublime.

Front 23

Surreptitious Adj.

Back 23

secret, clandestine, stealthy

The Watergate burglars tried to attain information in a surreptitious manner.

Front 24

Veracity N.

Back 24

devotion to the truth

The lawyer had no confidence in the veracity of the witness.

Front 25

Zeal N.

Back 25

enthusiasm, fervor

To the delight of his students, he brought great zeal to the teaching profession.