LSAT vocab flashcards

indigenous

native, originating in a place

inimical

tending to obstruct or harm

plight

a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation

reluctant

unwilling and hesitant; disinclined

espouse

adopt or support (a cause, belief, or way of life)

unequivocal

leaving no doubt; unambiguous

austere

severe or strict in manner or attitude

prefigure

be an early indication or version of (something)

imagine beforehand

eschew

deliberately avoid using; abstain from

cynical

believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity

patronize

treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays a feeling of superiority

prudence

the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason; wise

ostensibly

as appears or is stated to be true, though not necessarily so; apparently

rhetoric

the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques

language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect, but which is often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content

dichotomy

a division or contrast between two things that are, or are represented as being, opposed or entirely different

iconoclastic

criticizing or attacking cherished beliefs or institutions

solicit

ask for or try to obtain (something) from someone

ask (someone) for something

amenable

Willing to yield or cooperate

elicit

evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone

draw forth (something that is latent or potential) into existence

outset

the start or beginning of something

acrimony

bitterness or ill feeling

anomie

a sense of alienation from society, characterized by feelings of hopelessness, loss of purpose, and isolation

griot

a member of a class of travelling poets, musicians, and storytellers who maintain a tradition of oral history in parts of West Africa.

atonement

the action of making amends for a wrong or injury

conspicuous

obvious to the eye or mind

attracting attention: striking

marked by a noticeable violation of good taste

inexorably

in a way that is impossible to stop or prevent

vindictive

having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge

Conscientiousness

the quality of wishing to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly

imperturbable

unable to be upset or excited; calm

cohere

form a unified whole

(of an argument or theory) be logically consistent

Beyond reproach

so good, correct, or moral that no one can criticize it.

ignorance

lack of knowledge or information

trivial 

of little value or importance

(of a person) concerned only with petty things

ascetic

characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons

sacrosanct

(especially of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with

superfluity

excess, oversupply

immoderate and especially luxurious living, habits, or desires

imbue

inspire or permeate with (a feeling or quality)

spate

a large number of similar things, especially bad things, happening in quick succession

factions

a small organized dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics

disagreement within an organization

promulgate

put (a law or decree) into effect by official proclamation

promote or make widely known (an idea or cause)

heretofore

before now

putative

generally considered or reputed to be

denigrate

criticize or belittle, especially in an unfair way; disparage

arduous

involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring

subversion

a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly from within

contempt

the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn

pernicious

having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

depraved

marked by corruption or evil

ascertain

find (something) out for certain; make sure of

countenances

support or approval

a person's face or facial expression

precarious

not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse

dependent on chance; uncertain

purported

claimed or presented as being true, but it might not actually be true; alleged

laudable

deserving praise and commendation

formidable

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

subjective

relating to the mind as the subject of experience

paradox

seeming contradiction or an actual contradiction

anomalous

irregular, unusual

viscous

having a thick consistency, gelatinous

ephemeral

fleeting, or short life or duration

corroborate

to confirm or make certain

implicit

implied, tacitly understood

lucid

clear, understandable

prodigal

foolishly generous, not thrifty

feign

to pretend

specious

having the deceptive look of truth

arbitrary

random, capricious, impartial

intrepid

bold, fearless

antagonism

hostility, enmity

antipathy

strong feeling against, dislike for

dogma

firmly held disbelief

pertinent

clearly relevant

variance

difference, disagreement

incompatible

not well matched, unsuited

isolate

to separate and make alone or single

sever

to cut off completely

synthesis

the combination of diverse elements into one

engender

to create, foster

discrete

distinct, separate

disperse

to spread out

eccentric

unusual, strange

redundant

repetitive, and thus unnecessary

precursor

a necessary predecessor

defer

to postpone or to submit to another

catalyst

a thing that sets another in motion or causes change

disarm

to deprive of weapons or to win over, ingratiate

prone

inclined, or the position of lying face down

likely to or liable to suffer from, do, or experience something, typically something regrettable or unwelcome

profound

deep, thoughtful

torque

rotational force, twist

digress

to move away from

diverge

to go apart in different directions

tangential

peripheral, no on the subject at hand

porous

having pores, having minute holes

plummet

to fall suddenly

circumlocution

excessive speaking, wordiness

perturb

to disquiet, upset

opaque

not transparent, not letting light through

impenetrable

unable to penetrate, pierced

desiccate

to dry out, dehydrate

phenomenon

an occurrence

tacit

unspoken yet understood