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300 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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apocryphal
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Of dubious authenticity or origin; spurious
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arcane
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Understood by only a few; mysterious
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convene
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1. To summon or cause to assemble
2. To gather or assemble; to meet formally |
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expedient
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1. Useful for some purpose; convenient
2. Concerned primarily or exclusively with serving one's own interest |
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exude
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1. To flow out slowly; to ooze or exit.
2. To give forth; to exhibit in abundance. |
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gesticulate
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To motion enthusiastically with the body or limbs
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inperturbable
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Calm and assured
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increment
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An increase, addition or gain, often by regular, consecutive amounts
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levity
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Excessive frivolity; a lack of seriousness; joking
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mortify
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To embarrass or humiliate
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periphery
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The area around the edges; the outermost part
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raconteur
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One who tells stories withskill and wit
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reiterate
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To say or do over again; to repeat
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subterfuge
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A deceptive scheme or strategy
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vacillate
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1. To move back and forth from lack of balance; waver
2. To alternate indecisevely between opinions or courses of action. |
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accoutrements
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Equipment or accessories
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aggrieved
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Feeling or expressing a sense of injustice, injury or offense.
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choleric
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Easily anagered; quick-tempered
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comport
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1. To behave or conduct oneself
2. To be in accord or agreement |
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disconcert
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To disrupt the self-possession or confidence of; to perturb or fluster
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fauna
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Animals of a region or period, considered as a whole
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interpose
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To place or come between; to intervene or interrupt.
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maraud
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To roam in search of plunder
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modicum
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A small amount
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opulent
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Having or exhibiting great wealth or abundance.
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patrician
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noun: A member of the nobility
adj: Of noble birth; showing refinement of taste or manners |
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phlegmatic
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Not given to action or reaction; sluggish or calm in temperament.
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propensity
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A natural inclination or tendancy
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therapeutic
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Relating to the treatment of a disease; contributing to general well-being.
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utilitarian
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Relating to usefulnees rather than beauty; practical
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atrophy
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To waste away or fail to develop
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efficacy
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The power to bring about the desired result; effectiveness
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emolument
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Salary or fees for work done; compensation
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icon
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1. A religious painting, especially one revered by the Eastern Christian churches
2. A symbol or image whose form suggests its meaning. 3. One who is idolized |
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incipient
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Beginning to exist or appear; in the first stage
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inculcate
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To impress upon or teach by frequent repetition
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inestimable
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Too valuable or great to be measured
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lackluster
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Lacking brightness or vitality; without spirit or enthusiasm
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martinet
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A strict disciplinarian
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prodigious
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1. Extremely large in bulk, quantity, or degree
2. Causing amazement or wonder |
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regimen
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A regulated program, especially one designed to improve or maintain health.
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stellar
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Of or related to a star
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stoic
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One seemingly indifferent to pleasure or pain
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vibrant
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1. Full of life or vigor
2. Bright or vivid 3. Quivering or vibrating |
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zealous
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Very enthusiastic; fervant; passionate on behalf of someone or something.
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autonomy
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The quality or state of being self-governing; independence
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circumspect
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Cautious and pruent; heedful of consequences
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composure
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Calmness of mind or bearing; self-control
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edifice
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1. A large, imposing structure or building
2. A complex structure or system built up over time, as if it were a real building. |
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ensconce
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To settle or place securely or snugly
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environs
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The area adjoining or surrounding a place
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hapless
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Marked by the absence of good luck; unfortunate
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heinous
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Shockingly evil or wicked
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incognito
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With one's identity concealed; unrecognized
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indoctrinate
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1. To teach or train in the fundamentals
2. To instill or teach from a partisan point of view |
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interim
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noun: An interval of time between events
adj: Belonging to or taking place between events; temporary |
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mausoleum
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A large and impressive tomb
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pillage
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To rob or plunder
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reverie
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1. The condition of being lost in thought
2. A daydream |
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thrall
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A loss of one's ability to act freely; a state over which one appears to have no control.
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abstruse
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Difficult to understand
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accrue
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To arise or increase as a natural result or growth, usually used with "to" or "from"
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acquiesce
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To accept as inevitable; to cmoply passively
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besmirch
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To stain or tarnish; to make dirty
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explicit
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Fully and clearly expressed, leaving nothing merely implied.
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histrionic
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Purposely affected; theatrical
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impropriety
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1. The quality or state of being improper or unsuitable
2. Something that is improper |
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inveigle
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1. To lure or trick into doing something
2. To obtain by flattery or trickery |
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penitent
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Sorry for having done wrong
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probity
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Honesty; trustworhtiness; adherence to virtue
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purport
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To give or present the often false impression of being someone or intending something
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repercussion
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An unforeseen or indirect result or effect of an event.
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revelation
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Something that is made known or revealed , often coming as a surprise
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surfeit
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An overabundant supply; an excess.
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unsavory
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1. Having an unpleasant look, taste or smell.
2. Morally offensive |
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anathema
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Someone or something that is intensely disliked, cursed or shunned.
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assuage
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1. To satisfy
2. To lesson or reduce the intensity of |
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avuncular
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Like a benevolent uncle; famliar and indulgent.
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convivial
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Sociable; concerned with good company and festivities.
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eclectic
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Combining elements from a variety of sources.
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epigram
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A short, witty poem or saying
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expound
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To explain in detail; to set forth
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intrinsic
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Relating to the essential nature of something; real or actual.
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inveterate
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Habitual or deeply rooted; persistent
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mogul
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A very powerful or wealthy person; a magnate
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munificent
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Extremely generous; liberal in giving.
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nascent
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Begining to exsit; emerging.
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perspicacious
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Clear-sighted; shrewd
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philistine
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noun: One who is indifferent to or disdainful of intellectual values
adj: Smugly ignorant of artistic or intellectual qualities. |
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propitious
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Tending to favor or assist; encouraging
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archipelago
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1. A large group of islands
2. A body of water containing a large number of islands |
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careen
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1. To rush headlong, often with a swerving or luching motion.
2. To cause to lean or tip to one side |
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cavalier
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Showing an offhand or carefree disregard; arrogant
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contiguous
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Sharing a boundry; being very close or in contact; adjacent
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correlate
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To connect related thins; to bring things into proper relation with one another.
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etymology
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1. The history of a word
2. The science that studies such histories |
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frenetic
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Wildly excited; frantic
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kinetic
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Relating to motion
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presage
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To foretell; to warn or indicate in advnace
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pulverize
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1. To crush or grind into dust or powder
2. To demolish |
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recondite
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Difficult to understand; abstruse
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repulse
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1. to repel; to drive back
2. to reject in a cool or distant mannner 3. to disgust |
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seismic
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1.Caused by or having to do with earhquakes
2. Having powerful and widespread effects |
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undulate
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1. To form or move in waves
2. To have a wavelike appearance or motion |
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upheaval
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1. a radicalor violent change
2. A forceful lifting or warping from beneath |
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betrothed
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adj: Engaged to be married
noun: A person to whom one is engaged to be married |
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blasphemy
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An act or statement that shows disrespect or irreverence toward something considered sacred.
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cadence
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1. A rhythm marked by a regular beat.
2. The rising and falling of the voice in human speech. |
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canon
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1. A rule or principle that provides the norm for judgment.
2. The works of a writer accepted as authentic |
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denouement
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1. The outcome of a series of events
2. The final resolution following the climax of the plot of a work of drama or fiction. |
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edict
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A statement or command having the force of law.
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enamor
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to inspire with love; to captivate
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insensate
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1. lacking sensation or awareness
2. Lacking sense or ability to reason 3. Brutal; lacking feeling |
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renegade
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1. a person who deserts one group or cause for another; a traitor
2. A person who rejects lawful behavior |
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soliloguy
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A speech in which a character's thoughts are given verbal expression.
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stricture
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1. A strong criticism
2. Anything that restricts or limits |
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triumvirate
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A group of three, especially one possessing great power or eminence
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usurp
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To seize and hold power or authority in an illegal or unjust manner
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vestment
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An outer garmet, especially one indicating a role, rank or office
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votary
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A person who is devoted to a cause or organization, especially one of religous nature
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advent
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A coming or arrival
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blase
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indifferent to what others might find pleasurable or exciting because of excessive indulgence or enjoyment; unconcerned.
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bravado
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An ostentatious display of bravery; defiant or swaggering behavior
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disparate
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1. containing ormade up of fundamentally different and often incongruous elements.
2. Showing a marked difference or inequality |
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domicile
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One's house or place of residence
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fabricate
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1. To make by putting parts together; to construct
2. to invent in order to deceive |
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intinerant
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1. Traveling from place to place
2. One who goes from place to place |
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lilliputian
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Extremely samll or appearing to be so.
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phobia
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A strong, irrational fear
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proclivity
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A strong inclination towards something
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projectile
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An object impelled with force or self-propelled through the air
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queasy
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1. Causing nausea or tending to be nauseous.
2. Causing or experiencing uneasiness; squeamish |
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reciprocate
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To exchange in kind; to repay
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relegate
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1. To put out of sight or mind; demote
2. to assign for a decision or further action |
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vertigo
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Dizziness or a tilting, spinning sensation
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amnesia
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1. a loss of memory, usually caused by shock or injury
2. a gap in one's memory |
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appease
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1. to bring to a state of peace or quiet
2. to pacify an adversary, often by making concessions |
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attrition
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1. a gradual reduction in numbers or loss of strength
2. a weakening resulting from pressure or harassment |
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debacle
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a sudden collapse, downfall, or failure
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defoliate
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To strip a plant of leaves, thereby damaging or destroying it
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equestrian
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having to do with horseback riding
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expunge
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to obliterate or erase completely
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hackneyed
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commonplace; trite; lacking force or significance because of overuse
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opporbrium
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scornful treatment or contempt, especially as a result of disgraceful behaviour
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proviso
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a statement that makes a condition, qualification, or restriction
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sully
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to soil, tarnish, or besmirch
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tactile
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relating to or perceptible by the sense of touch
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upbraid
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to scold or criticize severely; to find fault with
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verdant
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green with vegetation; covered with green plants
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vertex
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the point opposite and farthest from the base; summit
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attenuate
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1. To make or become thin
2. To lessen the amount, force, or value of |
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behemouth
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Something or someone of enormous size or power
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disinter
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To remove from a grave or tomb; to dig up
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impinge
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1. To go beyond desirable or established limits; to encroach.
2. To come into contact with, especially forcefully |
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multifarious
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Having many forms; varied, versatile.
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oxymoron
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A combination of words that seem to be contradictory
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plenitude
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An ample amount; an abundance
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postulate
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To assume as a fact based on the best available evidence
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prevail
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1. To prove superior in power and strength
2. To remain in effect or use; to be current or widespread |
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putrefy
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To become rotten or decayed, giving off a foul odor
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salubrious
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Beneficial to health or well-being
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succulent
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Fresh and juicy
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tundra
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Flat, treeless plains of the arctic regions
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unequivocal
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Leaving no room for misunderstanding; unambiguous
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vicissitudes
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Fluctuations in conditions; changes in fortune
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amity
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Peaceful relations (particularly between nations); friendship
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animadversion
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A critical or hostile comment
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antithetical
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Being in direct and outspoken opposition
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bellicose
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Inclined to quarrel; combative, warlike
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bucolic
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Of or relating to country life; rustic; pastoral
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craven
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Utterly lacking courage; willing to give up or capitulate
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exalt
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To rais in rank, wealth, or honor; to praise highly; glorify
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impugn
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To attack as false; to call into question
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introspective
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Inclined to look inward and examine one's thougths and feelings
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metier
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Work or activity for which one is particularly suited.
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penurious
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1. Marked by extreme poverty
2. Stingy; lacking generosity |
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privation
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An instance or condition of extreme hardship; a lack of comfort
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sobriquet
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A nickname
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tantamount
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Equivalent to; the same as (used with "to")
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throes
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Conditions of painful or difficult change, struggle or turmoil
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altruism
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The putting of others' well-being ahead of one's own; unselfishness
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concurrent
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Taking place at the same time; simultaneous
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context
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1. The circumstances in which something exists or occurs
2. The surroundings of a word or phrase in a spoken or written passage |
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crass
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Lacking delicacy or sensitivity; gross.
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cuisine
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Style of cooking
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debase
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To lower the quality, character or status of; to devalue
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enjoin
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1. To direct or command
2. To forbid or prohibit |
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extemporaneous
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Composed or performed on the spur of the moment, with little or no planning
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genesis
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An origin, creation, or beginning
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libation
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A liquid, usually wine, especially when poured as an offering or drunk as part of a ceremony
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malaise
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A vague feeling of uneasiness or unwellness
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platitude
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A thought or remark that is dull or trite
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reconcile
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1. To establish an amicable relationship
2. To bring to quiet submission |
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sunder
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To break or force apart; to sever
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trevail
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1. Activity that is arduous and burdensome; toil
2. Suffering or anguish |
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abeyance
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A state (usually temporary) of inactivity or suspension
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buttress
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1. A projecting structure that supports a wall or building
2. Anything that supports or protects |
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commensurate
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Corresponding in size, degree or amount; proportionate; of equal value
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dilatory
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Slow to act or respond; delaying, tardy
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ecumenical
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Universal; inclusive, especially concerning religous matters
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facade
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1. The front or face of a building
2. A superficial appearance; an illusion |
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gargoyle
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A grotesque stone figure used as a decorative feature on a building or as an ornament; a spout projecting
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moot
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To debate, suggest or discuss
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pinnacle
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1. A tall, slender, pointed top; peak
2. The highest poing of achievement |
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requiem
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A funeral mass or service; a musical composition honoring the dead
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sacrosact
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Highly sacred or holy; not to be violated
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sensuous
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1. Coming from or acting on the senses
2. Producing an agreeable effect on the senses |
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tenet
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A principle or belief held to be true, especially by members of an organization
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transcend
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To go above the limits of; to exceed or surpass
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venue
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The scene or locale of any action or event; the place of an alleged crime
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arbiter
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One whose decisions are accepted as final; a judge
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conclave
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A private meeting or secret assembly
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concomitant
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Accompanying; occupying or existing at the same time
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coterie
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An intimate or exclusive group; a clique
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demur
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To raise objections; to withhold one's approval or agreement
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entice
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To lead or persuade by arousing desire or hope; allure
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flaunt
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To parade or display conspicuously or boldly
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genteel
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Polite, elegant, stylish; sometimes overly so
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graphic
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1. Evoking a sharp mental picture; vivid
2. Concerning the pictorial arts, as drawing, painting, etc. |
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inimical
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1. Expressing hostility or unfriendly intent
2. Having adverse or harmful effects |
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inordinate
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Beyond what is ordinary or reasonable in amount or scope; excessive
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ludicrous
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Provoking or describing laughter because of absurdity; ridiculous
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oligarchy
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Government by a small, elite group
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redoubtable
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Worthy of respect; formidable
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repugnant
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Highly distasteful; offensive; repulsive
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archives
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Public or institutional records, especially historical documents that are preserved; the place where such records are kept
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chattel
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1. An item of property that can be moved, as distinct from real
2. A human being considered as property |
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commodious
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Having plenty of space to move around freely; roomy
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conflagration
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A large, diastrous fire
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limbo
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A place or state of neglect, oblivion, or transition
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lineage
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LIne of descent; ancestory
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listless
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Indifferent, spiritless; showing lack of motivation or interest
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metropolis
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An important city, especially one regarded as the center of a particular activity
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perfunctory
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Done in a routine way, without care or particular interest
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pristine
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Like new; spotless; free of dirt and decay
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ramshackle
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Loosely made; appearing ready to collapse; dilapidated
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sequester
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1. To set apart; to seclude
2. To seize, especially by legal authority |
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subversive
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Planning to undermine or overthrow an established order
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terminus
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The final destination or goal of a journey or endeavor; the finishing point
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virulent
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1. Extremely harmful or poisonous; deadly
2. Full of hate; bitter or spiteful |
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autocratic
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Exercising sole or complete control; dictorial
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caustic
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1. Capable of destroying tissue by chemical action; corrosive
2. Very sarcastic; sharp or biting |
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debilitate
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To impair the strength of; to enfeeble
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duplicitous
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Marked by deception
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emissary
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A representative sent on a special errand
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felicitous
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1. Happily suited to an occasion or situation; appropriate and graceful
2. Marked by happiness or good fortune; pleasant; charming |
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forthright
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Direct; straightforward; frank
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inpecunious
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Being habitually without money; poor
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jaundiced
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1. Of unhealthy yellow appearance
2. Affected by jealousy, resentment or hositility |
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mercenary
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adj. Serving merely for money or gain; greety
noun. A soldier who fights for whoever pays him |
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notorious
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Well known for a particular quality or trait, often an unfavorable one
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oust
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Tol eject from a position or place; to drive out of use
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parsimonious
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Excessively sparing or frugal; penurious
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pejorative
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Having negative orunplasant associations; belittling
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precept
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A general principle or rule of action
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bereft
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Deprived or lacking something that is wanted or needed
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criterion
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A standard or rule by which something is judged, ore critisized
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deride
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To laugh at in scorn or contempt; to ridicule
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effrontery
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A boldness that is offensive because of its lack of tact; audacity
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espouse
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To advocate or embrace, especially a cause or idea
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hypocrisy
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The practice of pretending to believe or value things or ideas that one does not; falseness
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impending
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About to occur; imminent
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incensed
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Filled with wrath; enraged
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pertinent
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Relating to the matter at hand; relevant
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promulgate
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To proclaim or make known
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proscribe
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To forbid as harmful; to prohibit
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redress
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To correct or compensate for a wrong.
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regime
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A form or rule or government
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retribution
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Something given in repayment, especially punishment; recompense
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substantiate
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To verify or confirm by presenting evidence
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eagis
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Protection; sponsorship
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bauble
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A showy, ornamental object with little practical use; a trinket
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complaisant
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Willing to please; agreeable
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consolidate
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1. To join together; to unite
2. To strengthen or make firm |
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depredation
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The act of plundering or destroying; also, the loss or damage that results
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epiphany
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A sudden understanding of the meaning, essence, or reality of something
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moratorium
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A waiting period or temporary ban on activity
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pendulous
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Hanging loosely or swinging freely
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portend
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To be a sign of; to indicate what will happen
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pragmatic
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Concerned with practical soluitons rather than abstract theory
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reprieve
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To delay or suspend punishment
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stentorian
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Extremely loud or powerful in sound
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tenure
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The condition of holding property, an office, or a position; also the period during which it is held
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unilateral
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Done or carried out by one of two or more parties rahter than in concert with others
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viable
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1. Capable of living, growing, or developing
2. Capable of success; workable |
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ambidextrous
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Able to use both hands with equal skill
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antipathy
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A consistent aversion or dislike
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deleterious
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Hurful; injurious
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excoriate
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To criticize severely; to berate
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grisly
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Horrible to contemplate or look upon; frim and ghastly
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idiosyncrasy
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A peculiar characteristic, habit, or manner that distinguishes a person
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impute
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To assign blame or credit; to attribute or ascribe
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maladroit
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Lacking judgment or skill; bungling or clumsy
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negate
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1. To deny or refute the existnec or truth of
2. To make ineffective or invalid |
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passe
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No longer in fashion; out moded
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pedagogue
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A teacher of children or youth; sometimes one who is dogmatic or overly formal
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preponderance
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The greater part; superiority in size, importance, or strength
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propound
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To put forward for consideration; to propose
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stance
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1. The way a person stands; the position of a person's feet
2. A position regarding politics or ideas; point of view |
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extrapolate
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To estimate or infer by projecting from or expanding upon known information
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