Unit 13
Terms
undefined, object
copy deck
- impediment
- (n.) a physical defect; a hindrance, obstacle *SYN* obstruction, stumbling block *ANT* help, advantage, asset, plus
- pithy
- (adj.) short but full of meaning and point *SYN* terse, short and sweet, meaty, telling *ANT* wordy, verbose, long-winded, foolish, inane
- vilify
- (v.) to abuse or belittle unjustly or maliciously *SYN* malign, defame, denigrate, traduce *ANT* glorify, extol, lionize
- vaunted
- (adj.) much boasted about in a vain or swaggering way *SYN* trumpeted, heralded *ANT* downplayed, soft-pedaled, de-emphasized
- steadfast
- (adj.) firmly fixed; constant, not moving or changing *SYN* loyal, faithful, unwavering *ANT* inconstant, fickle, unreliable, vacillating
- enormity
- (n.) the quality of exceeding all morals bounds; an exceedingly evil act; huge size, immensity *SYN* atrociousness, heinousness, atrocity, vastness *ANT* mildness, harmlessness, inocuousness
- malinger
- (v.) to pretend illness to avoid duty or work; lie down on the job *SYN* goof off, shirk
- haughty
- (adj.) chillingly proud and scornful *SYN* disdainful, supercilious*ANT* meek, himnle, unassuming
- loiter
- (v.) to linger in an aimless way, hang around, dawdle, tarry *ANT* hurry along
- plunder
- (v.) to rob by force, especially during wartime; to seize wrongfully; (n.) property stolen by force *SYN* (v.) pillage, loot sack; (n.) spoils, pelf
- falter
- (v.) to hesitate, stumble, lose courage; to speak hesitatingly; to lose drive, weaken, decline *SYN* waver *ANT* persevere, plug away at
- waif
- (n.) a person (usually a child) without a home or friend; a stray person or animal; something that comes along by chance, a stray bit *SYN* stray, ragamuffin, street urchin
- dovetail
- (v.) to fit together exactly; to connect so as to form a whole; (n.) a carpentry figure resembling a dove's tail *SYN* (v.) mesh, jive, harmonize *ANT* (v.) clash, be at odds
- simper
- (v.) to smile or speak in a silly, forced way; (n.) a silly, force smile *SYN* (v.) snicker, smirk, titter, giggle
- imperative
- (adj.) necessary, urgent; (n.) a form of a verb expressing a command; that which is necessary or required *SYN* (adj.) essential, indispensable, mandatory *ANT* (adj.) nonessential, unnecessary, optional
- adapt
- (v.) to adjust or change to suit conditions *SYN* regulate, alter, acclimate *ANT* remain, unchanged
- forlorn
- (adj.) totally abandoned and helpless; sad and lonely; wretched or pitiful; almost hopeless *SYN* woebegone, forsaken, bereft, pathetic *ANT* jaunty, buoyant, blithe, chipper
- attest
- (v.) to bear witness, affirm to be true or genuine *SYN* witness, verify, confirm, corroborate *ANT* deny, disprove, refute, rebut
- foreboding
- (n.) a warning or feeling that something bad will happen; (adj.) marked by fear, ominous *SYN* (n.) misgiving, presentiment, premonition
- wry
- (adj.) twisted, turned to one side; cleverly and often grimly humorous *SYN* drlyly, amusing, ironic, droll *ANT* humorless, solemn, straight