General Vocabulary Terms Flashcards

A collection of over 100 vocabulary terms and definitions covering diverse fields such as anatomy, governance, science, and literature.

idiot

a feebleminded person; imbecile

physiognomy

the face, especially as it reveals character

fiord

a narrow inlet of the sea

protuberant

bulging outward

coterie

an intimate and exclusive group of followers

nemesis

an agent of revenge or retribution

biennial

happening every two years

diaphanous

so fine as to be transparent; sheer

inge nue

the role of a naive girl in a play

celibate

under a vow to remain unmarried

obtuse

slow-witted; stupid

embrasure

a recessed door or window opening

gelid

extremely cold; icy

overweening

unduly confident

epidermis

the outermost layer of the skin

vortex

a whirlpool or tornado

fatalism

the belief that events are not under man's own control

sachet

a small bag with perfumed powder

fulgent

dazzlingly bright; radiant

promulgate

to proclaim officially

celerity

speed; quickness

composite

formed of separate parts

scion

an offspring, particularly of wealthy or important parents

ukase

a government edict or decree

caucus

a private meeting to make political plans

fustian

full of self-importance; pompous

outmoded

no longer in style; outdated

pleasantry

a friendly or good-humored remark

importune

to beg earnestly and persistently

bromide

a hackneyed expression

crustacean

a hard-shelled sea creature

ostensible

outwardly apparent; intended for display

mien

a person's bearing or manner

consanguinity

relationship by blood; kinship

marinate

to season by steeping in a prepared solution

fumigate

to treat with fumes so as to destroy pests

dissect

to cut into in order to examine

miscegenation

intermarriage between persons of different races

shroud

a winding-sheet for a dead body

tariff

a tax on imported goods

amorphous

without definite form; shapeless

brevity

shortness of duration or extent

wallow

to indulge oneself to excess

sexton

a caretaker of a church

prognosis

a prediction of the course of a disease

contiguous

touching upon; adjoining

composure

self-control; calmness of mind

fructify

to bear fruit

generate

to bring into being; to produce

strident

shrill and discordant

kayak

an Eskimo canoe with a covered top

flotsam

wreckage floating on the sea

accrue

to come as a natural result

gentry

people of high social standing in the community

obviate

to make unnecessary

cuckold

a husband whose wife is unfaithful

nocturne

a musical piece suggestive of night

jurisdiction

legal authority over others

phlegmatic

slow to be aroused; undemonstrative

viviparous

bearing live young rather than eggs

spoliation

deliberate destruction

anterior

situated at the front

layette

a set of clothes for a newborn baby

option

the right to choose or buy

titian

a rich reddish-yellow color

innuendo

indirect and disparaging comment

boon

a welcome benefit; a blessing

corollary

a proposition following from one already proved

ersatz

used as a substitute; artificial

leaven

to cause (dough) to rise

lacteal

of or relating to milk

nullify

to cause to have no effect

initial

of or at the beginning

seismic

of or caused by an earthquake

repine

to feel or express discontent

connubial

of or relating to marriage

carapace

an upper shell, as of a turtle

tonsure

a shaved part of the head, as of a monk

objurgate

to rebuke; to find fault with

asseverate

to declare solemnly

climacteric

a turning point in one's life; a crucial period

concomitant

going along with; accompanying

dolorous

sorrowful; mournful

negotiate

to discuss with a view to reaching agreement

claustrophobia

a deep fear of enclosed spaces

reconnaissance

an exploratory military survey

empyrean

the heavens; the firmament (poetic)

refutation

proof of falsehood or error

inviolate

free from harm

passe

out of date; old-fashioned

depredation

an act of robbery or plunder

doctrine

a set of teachings, beliefs, or principles

blandishment

a coaxing or flattering remark

beatific

blessed; blissful

reciprocate

to return in kind or degree

leviathan

any huge sea-animal or ship

conjugal

of or relating to marriage; marital

lattice

an open framework of crossed strips

panacea

a supposed remedy for all ills

expiate

to make amends; to atone for