Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
bewail
|
v. To express deep regret or sorrow over.
|
"She bewailed it as exceedingly unlucky that the ladies should happen to go away just as they were all getting so intimate together."
|
|
destitute
|
adj. 1) Without resources or possessions, especially the necessities of life.
2) Lacking; devoid of. |
"He gave thanks for our food and comfort, and prayed for the poor and destitute in great cities, where the struggle for life was harder than it was here with us."
|
|
detract
|
v. To take away, especially from the value, beauty, or importance of.
|
"She was growing a little stout, but it did not seem to detract from the grace of every step, pose, and gesture."
|
|
emancipate
|
v. To set free from slavery; to liberate.
|
Some teenagers feel emancipated when they finally earn their driver's license.
|
|
extol
|
v. To praise highly.
|
"A man can scarce allege his own merits with modesty, much less extol them."
|
|
impetus
|
n. 1) A driving force; anything that causes an action.
2) Increased activity resulting from a driving force. |
Her hope of gaining a spot on the team provided the impetus for months of hard work.
|
|
insuperable
|
adj. Incapable of being overcome or defeated.
|
During my senior year, passing Greek seemed an insuperable obstacle to my graduating with my class.
|
|
intermittent
|
adj. Not continuous; happening at intervals.
|
Showers were intermittent throughout the day, although the forecast had promised sunshine.
|
|
maxim
|
n. A general truth or rule of conduct; a short saying.
|
Remember the maxim "Haste makes waste" and slow down!
|
|
obligatory
|
adj. Required or demanded.
|
P.E. is obligatory unless you have a medical excuse for gym class.
|
|
plumb
|
v. 1) To measure the depth of water.
2) To reach the deepest part of. 3) To understand by examining closely; to solve. adj. Straight up and down; vertical. |
The lake was too deep for us to plumb.
|
|
vagabond
|
n. A person who wanders from place to place.
|
(used as adj.) The vagabond life of the traveling musicians suited the band members.
|
|
visage
|
n. A face, especially one that expresses feelings.
|
The smiling visage of a young girl looked out from the portrait.
|
|
wheedle
|
v. To coax or gain by using sly persuasion or insincere praise.
|
He tried to wheedle his father into lending him the new sports car.
|
|
flamboyant
|
adj. Excessively showy; unrestrained.
|
With an air of flamboyance, the actor flung out her arm and pointed to the door.
|