Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Fall Semester Vocabulary
Vocab words 1-50 from first semester
80
Literature
10th Grade
02/10/2012

Additional Literature Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term


Abject

(adj)

Definition

 

Being of the most contemptible kind

Most unfortunate or miserable

The family lived in abject poverty

Term

 

 

Contravene

(v)

Definition

To act against, oppose

To violate

She constantly contravened the schools authority, making both her and the staff's lives miserable.

Term

 

 

Indelible

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Impossible to remove, erase, or forget

He reflected upon the indelible memories of his son's childhood.

Term

 

 

Affectation

(n)

Definition

 

 

A show, pretense, or display

No one was amused by the pretentious affectation he had adopted upon his return from Europe.

Term

 

 

Precipitous 

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Extremely or impossibly steep

He gazed down hesitantly, teetering at the edge of the precipitous cliff.

Term

 

 

Magnanimity

(n)

Definition

 

 

Extremely liberal and gracious nature

His magnanimity was greatly appreciated by the charitable foundation.

Term

 

 

Sagacity 

(n)

Definition

 

 

The quality of being discerning and wise

The Dalai Lama's sagacity is renowned throughout the world.

Term

 

 

Circumscribed

(tr. v)

Definition

 

 

To determine the borders of something

The young boy circumscribed his fort with throw pillows and blankets.

Term

 

 

Acrimonious

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Bitter and sharp in language

Her teacher's acrimonious words brought tears to the young girl's eyes.

Term

 

 

Ensconced

(tr. v)

Definition

 

 

To settle oneself, to sit

My cat likes to ensconce herself in my clean laundry.

Term

 

 

Acquiesce

(v)

Definition

 

 

To agree or consent

She acquiesced grudgingly to her boss's unreasonable requests.

Term

 

 

Staunch

(adj)

Definition

 

 

 Steadfast or firm, as in one's beliefs

His staunch belief in hard work and dedication paid off when he earned his first million dollars

Term

 

 

Fastidious

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Extremely critical or demanding

My mother tells me that I am too fastidious, while I like to think of myself as simply neat and organized.

Term

 

 

Effete 

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Lacking in wholesome vigor, decadent

The candidate claimed the government had become lazy and effete, and that he would restore discipline and vigor.

Term

 

 

Eclectic

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Not following any one system

Her closet, which ranged from overalls to cocktail dresses, was an excellent representation of her eclectic taste.

Term

 

 

Wallow

(v)

Definition

 

 

To luxuriate, revel

It's hard to feel sorry for someone who wallows in his or her own self pity.

Term

 

 

Impregnable

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Strong enough to resist opening

They tugged in vain at the door to the impregnable room.

Term

 

 

Macabre

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Gruesome and horrifying

She hastily averted her eyes from the macabre sight of the body.

Term

 

 

Condescending

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Showing or implying superiority

The dean's condescending attitude earned him many foul nicknames among his students.

Term

 

 

Chimerical

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Wildly fanciful, highly unrealistic

I both respected and felt sorry for the man who spent his entire life chasing after his chimerical dream.

Term

 

 

Apotheosis

(n)

Definition

 

 

The elevation or exaltation of something; the highest form

Term

 

 

Laconic

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Using few words; expressing concisely

Term

 

 

Mellifluous

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Sweetly or smoothly flowing, as in sound

Term

 

 

Tremulous

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Characterized by trembling

Term

 

 

Reprehensible

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Deserving of reproof, rebuke, or censure; blameworthy

Term

 

 

Taciturn

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Dour,  stern, and silent in expression or manner

Term

 

 

Contrition

(n)

Definition

 

 

Sincere penitence or remorse

Term

 

 

Luminous

(adj)

Definition

 

 

radiating or relfecting light; shining; bright

Term

 

 

Facetiousness

(n)

Definition

 

 

Not meant to be taken seriously or literally

Term

 

 

Malign

(tr. v)

Definition

 

 

To make evil, harmful, or untrue statements about; to speak ill of

Term

 

 

Austere

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Severe in manner or appearance; uncompromising; strict; forbidding

Term

 

 

Adroit

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Cleverly skillful, resourceful, or ingenious

Term

 

 

Credulous

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Willing to believe or trust to readily; gullible

Term

 

 

Prosaic

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Commonplace or dull, matter-of-fact or unimaginative

Term

 

 

Indignent

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Lacking food, clothing, or other necessities of life; impoverished

Term

 

 

Forlorn

(adj)

Definition

 

 

desolate or dreary; unhappy or miserable, as in feeling, condition, or appearance

Term

 

 

Furtive

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Sly, shifty

Term

 

 

Fathom

(v)

Definition

 

 

To penetrate the truth of; comprehend; understand

Term

 

 

Bereft

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Deprived

Term

 

 

Tenacity

(n)

Definition

 

 

The act of being tenacious (holding fast, characterized by keeping a firm hold)

Term

 

 

Embody

(v)

Definition

 

 

To give concrete form to; express, personify, or exemplify in concrete form

Term

 

 

Prowess

(n)

Definition

 

 

Exceptional or superior ability, skill, or strength

Term

 

 

 Recompense

(n)

Definition

 

 

To repay, renumerate, or reward

Term

 

 

Auspicious

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Promising success, opportune, favorable

Term

 

 

Lithe

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Bending readily, pliant, limber, supple, flexible

Term

 

 

Impeccable

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Faultless, flawless, irreproachable

Term

 

 

Placid

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Pleasantly calm and peaceful

Term

 

 

Indignation

(n)

Definition

 

 

Strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base; righteous anger

Term

 

 

Vindicate

(v)

Definition

 

 

To clear, as from accusation

Term

 

 

Pallid 

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Lacking in vitality or interest

Term

 

 

Ambivalent

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Simultaneously feeling opposite emotions, uncertain

Term

 

 

Cogent

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Convincing, reasonable

Term

 

 

Inveterate

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Long-established, deep rooted, habitual

Term

 

 

Aesthetic

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Having to do with the appreciation of beauty

Term

 

 

Apathetic

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Feeling or showing little emotion

Term

 

 

Benevolent

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Well meaning, generous

Term

 

 

Candor

(n)

Definition

 

 

Sincerity, openness

Term

 

 

Dubious

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Doubtful; of unlikely authenticity

Term

 

 

Egregious

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Conspicuously bad or offensive

Term

 

 

Exculpate

(v)

Definition

 

 

To free from guilt or blame

Term

 

 

Gratuitous

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Given freely; unearned; unwarranted

Term

 

 

Hackneyed

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Worn our through overuse; trite

Term

 

 

Imperious

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Arrogantly domineering or overbearing

Term

 

 

Inherent

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Inborn; built-in

Term

 

 

Cogent

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Convincing, reasonable

Term

 

 

Laudatory

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Giving praise

Term

 

 

Mollify

(v)

Definition

 

 

To calm or soothe

Term
 
 
Novel
(adj)
Definition

 

 

Strikingly new or unusual

Term

 

 

Obdurate

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Stubborn, inflexible

Term

 

 

Ostentatious

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Describing a pretentious display

I find Scott Disick to be rather ostentatious.

Term

 

 

Paramount

(adj)

Definition

 

 

 

Of chief concern or importance

Term

 

 

Pentitent

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Remorseful for one's misdeeds

Term

 

 

Pervasive

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Dispersed throughout

Term

 

 

Plausible

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Seemingly valid or acceptable, credible

Term

 

 

Rancor

(n)

Definition

 

 

Bitter resentment or ill will; hatred; malice

Term

 

 

Spurious

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Not genuine; false; counterfeit

Term

 

 

Stoic

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Indifferent to pleasure or pain; impassive

Term

 

 

Superfluous

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Extra; unnecessary

Term

 

 

Tenuous

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Having little substance or strength; unsure; weak

Term

 

 

Transitory

(adj)

Definition

 

 

Short-lived; temporary

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