Vocabulary for Selective School Exam Study

A collection of over 300 vocabulary terms and definitions taken directly from the Selective School Exam study notes, covering various parts of speech including adjectives, verbs, and nouns.

Dissonance

Adj: An inharmonious or harsh sound.

Jovial

Adj: Characterised by a hearty, joyous humour.

Maudlin

Adj: Tearful or emotional ly weak.

Lucid

Adj: Easily understood

Burgeoning

Adj: Growing or developing quickly.

Capitulate

Verb: To surrender unconditional ly or on terms.

Exasperating

Verb: To irritate or provoke to a high degree

Equivocal

Adj: Of doubtful nature or character.

Felicitous

Adj: Wel l suited for the occasion, as an action, manner or expression.

Meek

Adj: Humbly patient or quiet in nature.

Tepidation

Noun: Tremulous fear, alarm or agitation.

Poise

Verb: To adjust, hold or carry in equilibrium.

Verve

Noun: Enthusiasm or vigor.

Contempt

Noun: The state of being despised.

Coyly

Adv: In a hesitant or indirect manner.

Complacent

Adj: Agreeable and eager to please.

Confluence

Noun: A flowing together of two or more streams.

Seclude

Verb: To isolate or withdraw into solitude.

Exorbitant

Adj: Exceeding the bounds of customs, propierity or reason, especial ly in amount or extent.

Retrospect

Noun: Contemplation of the past.

Confer

Verb: To consult together. Verb: To bestow upon as a gift.

Brunt

The main force or impact, as of an attack or blow

Extol

To praise highly

Expedite

To make easy, cause to progress faster

Cataract

A large waterfal l Clouding of the lens in your eye

Pittance

A woeful ly meager al lowance, wage, or portion

Proscribe

To forbid

Strife

Bitter disagreement; fighting, struggle

Indiscreet

Careless in speech or action

Platitude

A commonplace, stale, or trite remark

Arder

No longer in use.

Avarice

A greedy desire, particularly for wealth

Supple

Flexible

Prostrate

Lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward

Jurisdiction

The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

Aphid

Any of various smal l plant-sucking insects

Lynx

Short-tailed wildcats with usual ly tufted ears

Fallacy

A false notion or belief; an error in thinking

Gangrene

Death of tissue caused by loss of blood supply fol lowed by bacterial invasion

Dyspepsia

Difficult digestion; indigestion

Conciliiatory

Intended to gain goodwil l or favor or to reduce hostility

Primitive

Relating to, denoting, or preserving the character of an early stage in the evolutionary or historical development of something.

Anthropology

Study of the origins and development of people and their societies

Mediocre

Average, ordinary, undistinguished

Abate

to reduce in intensity or amount.

Aberration

a deviation from the normal or typical.

Abrasive

causing irritation or wear.

Adept

very skilled or proficient.

Adversary

an opponent or enemy.

Aesthetic

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.

Alleviate

to make (suf- fering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.

Amicable

having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement.

Animosity

strong hostility.

Apprehensive

anxious or fearful that some- thing bad or unpleas- ant will happen.

Arbitrary

based on random choice or per- sonal whim, rather than any reason or system.

Arduous

involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.

Austere

severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.

Benevolent

wel l-meaning and kindly.

Bolster

to support or strengthen.

Candid

truthful and straightforward; frank.

Camaraderie

mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.

Capricious

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.

Cautious

careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.

Chronic

persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.

Circumspect

wary and unwil ling to take risks.

Coherent

logical and consistent.

Commence

to begin or start.

Compassionate

feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

Comprehensive

complete and including al l or nearly al l elements or aspects.

Condescending

having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority.

Conscientious

wishing to do what is right, especial ly to do one's work or duty wel l and thoroughly.

Controversial

giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement.

Conundrum

a confusing and difficult problem or question.

Cordial

warm and friendly.

Culminate

reach a climax or point of highest development.

Defer

to put off to a later time; postpone.

Diligent

having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.

Discrepancy

a lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.

Disparage

regard or represent as being of little worth.

Eccentric

(of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange.

Eloquent

fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.

Elucidate

make (something) clear; explain.

Empathy

the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Enigma

a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.

Ephemeral

lasting for a very short time.

Equanimity

mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especial ly in a difficult situation.

Erratic

not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable.

Esoteric

intended for or likely to be understood by only a smal l number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.

Exacerbate

make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.

Exemplary

serving as a desirable model; very good.

Exuberant

fil led with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement.

Facetious

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor.

Fastidious

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.

Fleeting

lasting for a very short time.

Formidable

inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.

Fortuitous

happening by a lucky chance; fortunate.

Frugal

sparing or economical with regard to money or food.

Gregarious

(of a person) fond of company; sociable.

Hapless

unfortunate.

Haughty

arrogantly superior and disdainful.