Vocabulary Lecture Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary terms, parts of speech, and definitions derived directly from the provided lecture notes.

abate (verb)

to decrease in force, intensity, or violence

abstract (adjective)

relating to general ideas or qualities rather than an actual object or person

adversary (noun)

one that contends with, opposes, or resists

advocate (verb)

to support or argue for a cause, policy, etc.

advocate (noun)

one who supports the interests of another

alleviate (verb)

to make something such as pain or suffering more bearable

ambivalent (adjective)

having or showing contradictory feelings toward something

benevolent (adjective)

marked by kindness or generosity

bolster (verb)

to give a strong support or foundation to; to boost

candid (adjective)

expressing opinions in an open, honest, and sincere way

coherent (adjective)

logically ordered; having clarity

complacent (adjective)

showing little or no care or interest, especially in regard to a serious matter

condone (verb)

to treat something bad as acceptable or harmless

convoluted (adjective)

complicated and involved; intricate

deference (noun)

respect and esteem owed to a superior or an elder

despot (noun)

a ruler with absolute power and authority

diligent (adjective)

characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort

disdain (noun)

a feeling of dislike for something

eloquent (adjective)

marked by forceful and fluent expression

elusive (adjective)

hard to pin down, isolate, or identify

embellish (verb)

to make beautiful with decoration

empathy (noun)

the act of being sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of others

ephemeral (adjective)

lasting a very short time; temporary

equivocal (adjective)

of uncertain nature or classification; undecided

exacerbate (verb)

to make something bad or unpleasant worse

fastidious (adjective)

extremely or excessively careful or detailed

florid (adjective)

very flowery in style; elaborately decorated

grandeur (adjective)

the quality or state of being grand

incite (verb)

to move someone to action; urge on

indifferent (adjective)

marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

malleable (adjective)

capable of being altered by outside forces or influences

meticulous (adjective)

very careful about doing something in an extremely accurate and exact way

obstinate (adjective)

stubbornly holding to an opinion or purpose

pragmatic (adjective)

dealing with problems in a practical way

substantiate (verb)

to establish by proof or evidence

transient (adjective)

passing through or by a place with only a brief stay

viable (adjective)

having a reasonable chance of succeeding

warrant (verb)

to give adequate ground or reason for; to justify

yield (verb)

to give up possession of; to produce

austere (adjective)

stern and cold in appearance or manner

castigate (adjective)

to subject to severe punishment or criticism

esoteric (adjective)

requiring knowledge that is restricted to a small group

magnanimous (adjective)

showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit

obdurate (adjective)

stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing

obsequious (adjective)

excessively compliant to the will of another

perfunctory (adjective)

characterized by routine; done merely as a duty

pernicious (adjective)

highly destructive often in a way that is not easily noticed

tenuous (adjective)

having a thin consistency; not firmly based or supported

vitriolic (adjective)

marked by a sharp biting quality