Vocabulary Flashcards: Abnormal, Critical, and Descriptive Terms

aberrant

(adj) abnormal or deviant

synonyms: irregular, unusual, characteristic

abstemious

(adj) sparing in eating and drinking; self-restrained, self-denying

accost

to approach and speak to first; to confront in a challenging or aggressive way

animadversion

a comment indicating strong criticism or disapproval

avid

desirous of something to the point of greed; intensely eager

brackish

having a salty taste and unpleasant to drink

celerity

swiftness, rapidity of motion or action

devious

straying or wandering from a straight or direct course; behaving in a shifty or underhanded way

gambit

an opening move that involves risk or sacrifice of a minor piece in order to gain a later advantage; any opening move of this type

garrulous

loquacious; wordy; talkative

halcyon

of or relating to the halcyon; calm, peaceful; happy, golden; prosperous, affluent

histrionic

pertaining to actors and their techniques; theatrical, artificial; melodramatic