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128 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
a priori
|
adjective
Proceeding from a known or assumed cause to a necessarily related effect; deductive. |
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abstruse
|
adjective
Difficult to understand; recondite. |
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addle
|
verb
To muddle; confuse |
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adjunct
|
noun
Something attached to another in a dependent or subordinate position. |
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admixture
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noun
The act of mixing or mingling, the state of being mingled or mixed |
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alacrity
|
noun
Cheerful willingness; eagerness. |
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ameliorate
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verb
To make or become better; improve. |
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anathema
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noun
A formal ecclesiastical ban, curse, or excommunication. |
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anomie
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noun
Social instability caused by erosion of standards and values. |
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apotheosis
|
noun
Exaltation to divine rank or stature; deification. |
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append
|
verb
To add as a supplement or appendix |
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apposite
|
adjective
Strikingly appropriate and relevant |
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arch
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adjective
Mischievous; roguish |
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atavism
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noun
The return of a trait or recurrence of previous behavior after a period of absence. |
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automaton
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noun
A self-operating machine or mechanism, especially a robot. |
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avatar
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noun
An embodiment, as of a quality or concept; an archetype |
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banal
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adjective
Drearily commonplace and often predictable; trite |
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blotto
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adjective
Intoxicated; drunk |
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cabal
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noun
A clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue |
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caprice
|
noun
An impulsive change of mind. |
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caveat
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noun
A warning or caution |
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circuitous
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adjective
Being or taking a roundabout, lengthy course |
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concomitant
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adjective
Occurring or existing concurrently; attendant |
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constitutional
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noun
A walk taken regularly for one's health. |
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consumption
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noun
Pulmonary tuberculosis (no longer in technical use) |
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cosset
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verb
To pamper. |
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coterie
|
noun
A small, often select group of persons who associate with one another frequently. |
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curmudgeon
|
noun
An ill-tempered person full of resentment and stubborn notions. |
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deleterious
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adjective
Having a harmful effect; injurious |
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denouement
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noun
The final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot |
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desiccate
|
verb
To dry out thoroughly |
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diaphanous
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adjective
Of such fine texture as to be transparent or translucent |
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diaspora
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noun
A dispersion of a people (esp. Jews) from their original homeland |
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dolorous
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adjective
Marked by or exhibiting sorrow, grief, or pain. |
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dowager
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noun
A widow who holds a title or property derived from her deceased husband. |
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dysphoria
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noun
An emotional state characterized by anxiety, depression, or unease |
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ecumenical
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adjective
Of worldwide scope or applicability; universal. |
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effete
|
adjective
Depleted of vitality, force, or effectiveness; exhausted |
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effluvial
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noun
A usually invisible emanation or exhalation, as of vapor or gas. |
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ephemeral
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adjective
Lasting for a markedly brief time |
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epicure
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noun
A person with refined taste, especially in food and wine. |
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exigency
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noun
The state or quality of requiring much effort or immediate action |
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explicate
|
verb
To make clear the meaning of; explain. |
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floe
|
noun
A segment that has separated from such an ice mass. |
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florid
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adjective
Flushed with rosy color; ruddy. |
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foist
|
verb
To pass off as genuine, valuable, or worthy |
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folie a deux
|
noun
A condition in which symptoms of a mental disorder occur simultaneously in two individuals who share a close relationship or association. |
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garret
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noun
A room on the top floor of a house, typically under a pitched roof; an attic. |
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gentrification
|
verb
The restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle-class or affluent people |
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germinal
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adjective
Of, relating to, or occurring in the earliest stage of development |
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grandiloquent
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noun
Pompous or bombastic speech or expression. |
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guile
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noun
Treacherous cunning; skillful deceit |
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hale
|
verb
To compel to go |
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harangue
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noun
A long pompous speech, especially one delivered before a gathering |
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hedging
|
verb
To minimize or protect against the loss of by counterbalancing one transaction |
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husbanded
|
verb
To use sparingly or economically; conserve |
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impasse
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noun
A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made |
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impunity
|
noun
Exemption from punishment, penalty, or harm |
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intercession
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noun
Entreaty in favor of another, especially a prayer or petition to God in behalf of another. |
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interlocutor
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noun
Someone who takes part in a conversation, often formally or officially. |
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inure
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verb
To habituate to something undesirable, especially by prolonged subjection; accustom |
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ire
|
noun
Anger; wrath |
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jag
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noun
A period of overindulgence in an activity; a spree |
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jaunt
|
noun
A short trip or excursion, usually for pleasure; an outing |
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lackadaisical
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adjective
Lacking spirit, liveliness, or interest; languid |
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lapis
|
noun
A medium to dark blue. |
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laudanum
|
noun
A tincture of opium, formerly used as a drug. |
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leitmotif
|
noun
A dominant and recurring theme, as in a novel. |
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litany
|
noun
A liturgical prayer consisting of a series of petitions recited by a leader alternating with fixed responses by the congregation |
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manque
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adjective
Unfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition |
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mensch
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noun
A person having admirable characteristics, such as fortitude and firmness of purpose |
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miasma
|
noun
A noxious atmosphere or influence |
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mire
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verb
To cause to sink or become stuck in or as if in mire. |
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misanthropic
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adjective
Characterized by a hatred or mistrustful scorn for humankind |
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mise en scene
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noun
The arrangement of performers and properties on a stage for a theatrical production or before the camera in a film. |
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morass
|
noun
Something that hinders, engulfs, or overwhelms |
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nadir
|
noun
The lowest point |
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narcosis
|
noun
A condition of deep stupor or unconsciousness produced by a drug or other chemical substance. |
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nihilism
|
noun
An extreme form of skepticism that denies all existence. |
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ostensible
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adjective
Represented or appearing as such; ostensive |
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palimpsest
|
noun
An object, place, or area that reflects its history |
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palpable
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adjective
Capable of being handled, touched, or felt; tangible |
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panacea
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noun
A remedy for all diseases, evils, or difficulties; a cure-all. |
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pantheon
|
noun
A temple dedicated to all gods. |
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paroxysm
|
noun
A sudden outburst of emotion or action |
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parricide
|
noun
The murdering of one's father, mother, or other near relative. |
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pathos
|
noun
A quality, as of an experience or a work of art, that arouses feelings of pity, sympathy, tenderness, or sorrow. |
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perspicacity
|
noun
Acuteness of perception, discernment, or understanding. |
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pittance
|
noun
A very small amount |
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plaint
|
noun
A complaint |
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pogrom
|
noun
An organized, often officially encouraged massacre or persecution of a minority group |
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polemic
|
noun
A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine. |
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pragmatic
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adjective
Dealing or concerned with facts or actual occurrences; practical. |
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precarious
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adjective
Dangerously lacking in security or stability |
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prestidigitation
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noun
Performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands; sleight of hand. |
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preternatural
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adjective
Out of or being beyond the normal course of nature; differing from the natural. |
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promulgate
|
verb
To make known (a decree, for example) by public declaration; announce officially |
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protract
|
verb
To draw out or lengthen in time; prolong |
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pulchritude
|
noun
Great physical beauty and appeal. |
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redolent
|
adjective
Having or emitting fragrance; aromatic. |
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reprieve
|
verb
To postpone or cancel the punishment of. |
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reprobate
|
noun
A morally unprincipled person. |
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resplendent
|
adjective
Splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant. |
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rotary
|
noun
Traffic circle |
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rote
|
noun
A memorizing process using routine or repetition, often without full attention or comprehension |
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scruple
|
noun
An uneasy feeling arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action |
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seamy
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adjective
Sordid; base |
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semiotics
|
noun
The theory and study of signs and symbols, especially as elements of language or other systems of communication |
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sordid
|
adjective
Filthy or dirty; foul. |
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stasis
|
noun
A condition of balance among various forces; motionlessness |
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stein
|
noun
A mug, especially one for beer, usually holding about a pint. |
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sunder
|
verb
To break or wrench apart; sever |
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surcease
|
verb
To bring or come to an end; stop. |
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surreptitious
|
adjective
Obtained, done, or made by clandestine or stealthy means. |
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Svengali
|
noun
A person who, with evil intent, tries to persuade another to do what is desired |
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swain
|
noun
A beau. |
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tacit
|
adjective
Not spoken |
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tawdry
|
adjective
Gaudy and cheap in nature or appearance |
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traipse
|
verb
To walk or tramp about; gad |
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unfetter
|
verb
To set free or keep free from restrictions or bonds. |
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untrammeled
|
adjective
Not limited or restricted; unrestrained. |
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utilitarian
|
adjective
Of, relating to, or in the interests of utility |
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vagary
|
adjective
An extravagant or erratic notion or action. |
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vernal
|
adjective
Of, relating to, or occurring in the spring. |
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vicissitude
|
noun
A change or variation. |
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viscous
|
noun
Having relatively high resistance to flow. |
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vituperative
|
adjective
Using, containing, or marked by harshly abusive censure. |
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whit
|
noun
The least bit; an iota |