Advanced Word Power - Flashcards (Vocabulary Style)

Flashcards covering key Unit vocabulary terms (concepts, definitions, and usage) from the notes.

affinity

A natural attraction or liking for someone or something.

proximity

Nearness in space or relationship; closeness.

brusque

Abrupt and blunt in manner; rough in speech.

morose

Gloomy, sullen, or moody.

fledgling

New and inexperienced; a young bird or beginner.

sagacious

Wise; having good judgement.

hackneyed

Overused, lacking originality; stale.

supplant

To replace or take the place of.

unassailable

Undeniable or unable to be attacked or questioned.

voluminous

Large in volume or size; bulky.

affable

Friendly and easy to talk to.

apocryphal

Of doubtful authenticity or authorship; fictitious.

appall

To shock or horrify.

blasphemy

An act or statement that shows disrespect for something sacred.

commiserate

To express or feel sympathy or pity.

diatribe

A harsh, bitter verbal attack.

duplicity

Deceitfulness; double-dealing.

edifice

A building or large, imposing structure.

equivocal

Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.

garbled

Jumbled, distorted, or unclear.

gravity

Seriousness or importance of a matter.

infraction

A violation or breaking of a rule.

incite

To provoke or stir up.

irascible

Easily angered or irritable.

kindle

To arouse or ignite; to excite.

ludicrous

Ridiculous; laughable.

coalesce

To come together; to merge.

decadence

Moral decline or decay; excessive self-indulgence.

exemplary

Worthy of imitation; commendable.

exuberance

High-spirited excitement or lively energy.

incidental

Minor or not essential; happening by chance.

insolvent

Unable to pay debts; financially ruined.

parsimonious

Very frugal or stingy.

prodigal

Wastefully extravagant; lavish.

surreptitious

Kept secret or done in secret.

writhe

To twist and turn in pain or distress.

copious

Abundant; plentiful.

dearth

A scarcity or lack.

eloquent

Fluent, persuasive, and expressive in speaking or writing.

jargon

Specialized language used by a particular group.

levity

Lack of appropriate seriousness; lightness of mood.

meander

To wander slowly or aimlessly.

peripheral

On the edge or margins; not central.

substantiate

To prove or support with evidence.

unobtrusive

Not noticeable; discreet.

vacillate

To waver between choices; to hesitate.

abstemious

Moderate, especially with eating and drinking; temperate.

abstruse

Difficult to understand; obscure.

eclectic

Deriving ideas from a broad range of sources.

extraneous

Not essential or unrelated; irrelevant.

archaic

Very old-fashioned; outdated.

astute

Shrewd and perceptive.

hardy

Robust and capable of enduring difficult conditions.

engender

To cause or produce.

aversion

A strong dislike or opposition.

intractable

Difficult to manage or control; stubborn.