2020-10-30 English

Words and Definitions

English Words#

Trite - lacking orginality or freshness; overuse
sophism - clever but false argument used to deceive
demagogue - political leader who seeks to govern by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than rational argument
dispensation - exception to rule or usual requirement
consternation - anxiety and dismay at something unexpected
conceited - excessively proud of oneself
omniscient - knowing everything
auspicious - favourable, conducive to success
surreptitiously - in a way that attempts to avoid attention or notice
mnemonic - system such as a pattern of letters or associations to assist in remembering something
Altruism - disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others
Amortize - gradually write off / reduce / pay off the intial cost of an asset with regular payments (intangible asset)
dogmatic - inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true
chicanery - the use of deception and subterfuge to achieve one’s goal
nadir - the lowest or most unsuccessful point
parochialism - a limited or narrow outlook, focused on the local area
Laissez-faire - economic theory that opposes government involvement in business - a key part of freemarket capitalism.
pernicious - having a harmful effect in a gradual and subtle way
orthogonol - statisticly independent
repeal - revoke or annul
sophistry - clever but flase argument with the intent to deceive
ostensibly - appears or stated to be true, though not necessarily so
equanimity - calmness and composure
acquiescence - reluctant acceptance without protest
adroitly - in a clever skillful way
fidelity - faithfulness, support and loyalty to a cause, person or belief
perfunctory - action carried out with no real interest
dour - relentlessly severe, gloomy
sanguine - optimistic / positive in a bad situation
precocious - having developed skills at an early age
conspicuous - clearly visible
ignominy - public shame or disgrace
surfeit - excessive amount of (food or drink)
toerag - comtemptable, worthless person
volition - the faculty or power of using one’s will
sanctimonious - making a show of being morally superior
predilection - a preference or special liking for something
disposition - a poersons quality of mind and character
recidivism - tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend
imperious - arrogant, domineering
benevolent - well meaning and kindly
suffuse - gradually spread over
stoic - person who can endure pain and suffering without showing it
alacrity - brisk and ncheerful readiness
obliquely - in a slanted way, not direct
fastidious - concerned with accuracy and detail
indolence - laziness - avoidance of activity
chastised - reprimand severely
victuals - food or provisions
despot - a ruler holding absolute power - excercised in a cruel and oppressive way
glowered - scowl - have angry look
proclivities - inclination or predisposition towards doing something regularly
disquiet - a feeling of anxiety or worry
petulance - quality of being childishly sulky or bad tempered
beset - (of a problem) treatening peristently
vacillate - be indecisive - alternate between 2 decisions
consummate -complete or achieved
fop (dandy) - man who is concerned of his appearance excesively
ethereal - delicate and light
capricious - given to sudden changes of mood or behaviour
vignettes - brief evocative description or episode
recidivate - reoffend
levity - treatment of a serious matter with humour and a lack of respect
leering - look or gaze in unleaseant way (at nude painting)
carousing - drinking plenty of alcohol and making noise
succor - assistance and support in times of distress
acumen - ability to made good judgement and quick decisions
conveyance -
parochial - having a narrow outlook or scope
salubrious - pleasant place (not run down)
gregarious - fond of company, sociable
despoliation - destruction, ravaging
unobtrusive - inconspicuous - not attrating attention
effluent - liquid waste discharged into a river or sea
imbued - inspire or permeate (feeling or quality)
nebulous - in the form of a cloud - hazy
wan - pale - impression of illness or fatigue
lucre - money gained in a dishonourable way
carrion - decaying flesh of dead animals
paragon - perfect example of
unfettered - not restrained of conztricted
avaricious - having or showing extreme greed for money
lecerous - shwing excessive sexual desire
mollify - appease the anger of someone
phalanx - body of troops in close formation
convalescing - recover health and strength over a period of time
revile - Criticise and abuse in an angry manner
soothsayer - a person supposed to be able to see the future
diffident - modest or shy because of a lack of self confidence
surreptitiously - in a way that avoids notice
countenance - face or facial expression
rictus - fixed grimace or grin
acerbic - sharp and forthright
stolid - calm, dependable and showing little emotion or animation
querulous - complaining in a petulant and whiny manner
diffident - modest or shy because of a lack of self confidence
shauvinism - aggressive patriotism
acquisitive - obsessively voncerned with acquiring money or material things
ostentacious - showy
senescence - deterioration with age
vaccilation - inability to decide between two options or actions
surrepticious - kept secret due to unknown approval
munificence - quality of being extremely generous
apocryphal - a story of doubtful authenticity
farinaceous - consisting of of containing only starch
paramour - lover of a married person
parochial - limited or narrow outlook or scope
emancipated - free from emotional, political and legal restrictions
bellicosity - demonstrating aggression and willingnessto fight
incorrigable - not ableto be changed or reformed
interperance - lack of moderation and restraint
portents - sign or warning of momentous event or calamity
anachronism - old fashioned, a thing belonging in the particular period it exists
suffuse - gradually spread through or over
profane - secular - not relating to religion
preeminence - the fact of surpassing all others, superiority
vacillate - waver between different words
verdant - green with grass and vegetation
precipitous - dangerously high or steep
desultory - lacking a plan or enthusiasm
perturbation - anxiety, unease
inauspiciously - not conducive to success
lament - passionate display of grief or sorrow
supercilious - nehaving as if one is superior
borne - carried
censure - show severe dissaproval
portents - signs or warnings that a calamatious event is to occur
cogent - clear, logical and convincing
avail - take advantage of, make us of
askance - look of dissaproval
miasma - unhealthy smell or vapour
deprecate - express dissaproval of
abeyance - state of temporary disuse or suspension
perdition - state of eternal punishment, damnation
solemn - formal, dignified
levity - treating a seroious matter without respect
loath - reluctant, unwilling
parsimonious - unwilling to spend or use resources
Taciturn - reserved of speech - saying little
assiduity - careful and close attention to what one is doing
vindictive - having a strong desire for revenge
nebulous - in the form of a cloud or haze
erudite - having or showing great knowledge or learning
cerebral - intellectual rather than physical or emotional
prescienct - showing knowledge of events before they take place
epicurean - a person devoted to sensual enjoyment (sensual desire)