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Princeton Review
55
General Vocab
Graduate
03/09/2009

Additional General Vocab Flashcards

 


 

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Term
capacitor
Definition
a device for accumulating and holding a charge of electricity, consisting of two equally charged conducting surfaces having opposite signs and separated by a dielectric.
Term
respite
Definition
a delay or cessation for a time, esp. of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief; temporary rest; hiatus
Term
saga
Definition
 any narrative or legend of heroic exploits; epic
Term
sage
Definition
a wise person
Term
insipid
Definition
 without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid: an insipid personality.
Term
panegyrize
Definition
to give or write a panegyric (a lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing) about; eulogize.
Term
mortify
Definition
to humiliate
Term
effusive
Definition
 unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve
Term
licentious
Definition

sexually unrestrained; lascivious; libertine; lewd

 

"morally unrestrained," 1535, from M.L. licentiosus "full of license, unrestrained," from L. licentia (see license). 

Term
vapidity
Definition
lacking or having lost life, sharpness, or flavor; insipid; flat: vapid tea.
Term
scurrilous
Definition

Using the low and indecent language of the meaner sort of people, or such as only the license of buffoons can warrant; as, a scurrilous fellow.

 

"using such language as only the licence of a buffoon can warrant" [Johnson], 1576, from scurrile "coarsely joking" (1508, implied in scurrility), from L. scurrilis "buffoonlike," from scurra "fashionable city idler," later "buffoon." According to Klein, "an Etruscan loan-word." 

Term
accosting
Definition
To approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with a demand or request.
Term
typified
Definition
exemplified
Term
remunerate
Definition

to pay, recompense, or reward for work, trouble, etc.

 

similar sounding synonym: reimburse 

Term
stolidity
Definition

unemotional; impassive

 

 

Term
spate
Definition
 a sudden, almost overwhelming, outpouring: a spate of angry words
Term
amorphous
Definition
 lacking definite form; having no specific shape; formless: the amorphous clouds.
Term
despotic
Definition

authoritative; tyrannical.

 

1562, "absolute ruler," from M.L. despota, from Gk. despotes "master of a household, lord, absolute ruler." Faintly pejorative in Gk., progressively moreso as used in various languages for Roman emperors, Christian rulers of Ottoman provinces, and Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Despotism (1727) is from Fr. despotisme. 

Term
fixity
Definition
the state or quality of being fixed; stability; permanence.
Term
fixity
Definition
the state or quality of being fixed; stability; permanence.
Term
parsimonious
Definition

frugal or stingy

 

1432, from L. parsimonia "sparingness, frugality," from pars-, stem of parsi, perf. tense of parcere "to spare, save" + -monia, suffix signifying action or condition. Parsimonious first attested 1598, not originally with suggestion of stinginess. 

Term
covenant
Definition

an agreement

 

shares root with convene, meaning "to come together" 

Term
monument
Definition
 something erected in memory of a person, event, etc.
Term
prose
Definition
 the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse.
Term
forbearance
Definition

abstinence

 

"to abstain," O.E. forberan "bear up against, control one's feelings, endure," from for + beran "to bear" (see bear (v.)). 

Term
dereliction
Definition

deliberate or conscious neglect; negligence; delinquency

 

1649, from L. derelictus, pp. of dereliquere "abandon," from de- "entirely" + relinquere "leave behind" (see relinquish). Originally especially of vessels abandoned at sea or stranded on shore. Dereliction "failure in duty" is from 1830. 

Term
dubious
Definition
doubtful; marked by or occasioning doubt
Term
fastidious
Definition

1. excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please: a fastidious eater. 


2. requiring or characterized by excessive care or delicacy; painstaking.

Term
docile
Definition
easily managed or handled; tractable: a docile horse.
Term
succor
Definition

help; relief; aid; assistance.

 

c.1225, from Anglo-Fr. succors "help, aid," O.Fr. sucurres, from M.L. succursus "help, assistance," from pp. of L. succurrere "run to help," from sub "up to" + currere "to run" (see current). Final -s mistaken as a plural inflexion and dropped c.1290. 

Term
subterfuge
Definition
deception, scheme, trick, dodge, ruse.
Term
mollification
Definition
something which is intended to soothe
Term
litigate
Definition

 to make the subject of a lawsuit; contest at law.

 

 

Term
decree
Definition
a formal and authoritative order, esp. one having the force of law: a presidential decree.
Term
indemnity
Definition

 protection or security against damage or loss

 

1444, from M.Fr. indemnité (1367), from L.L. indemnitatem (nom. indemnitas) "security for damage," from L. indemnis "unhurt, undamaged," from in- "not" + damnum "damage." Indemnify "compensate for loss or expense" first recorded 1693. 

Term
sonnet
Definition
a poem, properly expressive of a single, complete thought, idea, or sentiment, of 14 lines, usually in iambic pentameter, with rhymes arranged according to one of certain definite schemes, being in the strict or Italian form divided into a major group of 8 lines (the octave) followed by a minor group of 6 lines (the sestet), and in a common English form into 3 quatrains followed by a couplet.
Term
stanza
Definition
an arrangement of a certain number of lines, usually four or more, sometimes having a fixed length, meter, or rhyme scheme, forming a division of a poem.
Term
indignation
Definition

a feeling of righteous anger 

 

c.1374, from O.Fr. indignation, from L. indignationem (nom. indignatio), from indignatus, pp. of indignari "regard as unworthy, be angry or displeased at," from indignus "unworthy," from in- "not" + dignus "worthy" (see dignity).

Term
exaltation
Definition
the act of raising high... elevating (particularly in terms of character).
Term
ratify
Definition
to confirm by expressing consent, approval, or formal sanction
Term
tribulate
Definition
oppress or trouble greatly
Term
belie
Definition
to contradict
Term
florid
Definition

flowery; excessively ornate; showy 

 

1642, "strikingly beautiful," from Fr. floride "flourishing," from L. floridus "flowery, blooming," from flos "flower" (see flora). Sense of "ruddy" is first recorded 1650. Meaning "profusely adorned, as with flowers," is from 1656.

Term
vapid
Definition

lacking or having lost life, sharpness, or flavor; insipid; flat: vapid tea.

 

1656, "flat, insipid" (of drinks), from L. vapidus "flat, insipid," lit. "that has exhaled its vapor," related to vappa "stale wine," and probably to vapor "vapor." Applied from 1758 to talk and writing deemed dull and lifeless. 

Term
pallid
Definition
pale
Term
effete
Definition

 lacking in wholesome vigor; degenerate; decadent

 

1621, from L. effetus (usually in fem. effeta) "unproductive, worn out (with bearing offspring)" lit. "that has given birth," from ex- "out" + fetus "childbearing, offspring" (see fetus). Sense of "exhausted" is 1662; that of "morally exhausted" (1790) led to "decadent" (19c.). 

Term
prescient
Definition
having foreknowledge
Term
officious
Definition

 objectionably aggressive in offering one's unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice; meddlesome: an officious person.

 

1565, "zealous, eager to serve," from L. officiosus "dutiful," from officium "duty, service" (see office). Sense of "meddlesome, doing more than is asked or required" had emerged by 1600 (in officiously).

Term
dialectical
Definition

of, pertaining to, or of the nature of logical argumentation.

 

shares root with dialogue 

Term
zealous
Definition
enthusiastic; fanatical
Term
deluge
Definition
a great flood of water; inundation; flood.
Term
reconnoitering
Definition

To make a preliminary inspection of, especially in order to gather military information

 

shares root with reconnaissance... as well as recognize 

Term
confluence
Definition

a flowing together of two or more streams, rivers, or the like: the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

 

union; joining 

Term
temerity
Definition

reckless boldness; rashness.

 

Usage: Temerity, Rashness. These words are closely allied in sense, but have a slight difference in their use and application. Temerity is Latin, and rashness is Anglo-Saxon. As in many such cases, the Latin term is more select and dignified; the Anglo-Saxon more familiar and energetic. We show temerity in hasty decisions, and the conduct to which they lead. We show rashness in particular actions, as dictated by sudden impulse. It is an exhibition of temerity to approach the verge of a precipice; it is an act of rashness to jump into a river without being able to swim. Temerity, then, is an unreasonable contempt of danger; rashness is a rushing into danger from thoughtlessness or excited feeling. 

Term
brusque
Definition
abrupt in manner; blunt; rough
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