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World Lit. Vocab

For DA 9th Graders :)

Terms

undefined, object
copy deck
telepathy
tranferance of thought and feelings from one person to another by no apparent means of communication
monomania
excessive concentration on one idea or subject
disgruntled
in bad humor; displeased; discontented
hydrophobia
dread of water; rabies
admonition
gentle reproof; counseling against a fault or error
polytheism
belief in multiple gods (ant. monothesism)
bonanza
1. large and rich mine; 2. source yielding an often unexpectedly rich return
banter
playful teasing; joking
euphoria
sense of great happiness or well-being (ant. dysphoria)
debonair
gracious; courteous; charming; suave
ironic or ironical
containing or expressing irony
toreador
bullfighter; torero
metamorphosis
change of form
revive
to bring back to life; restore
chic
stylish
dyslogistic
expressing disapproval or censure; uncomplimentary (ant. eulogistic)
jubilation
rejoicing; exultation
vivacity
liveliness of spirit
genuflect
bend the knee; touch the right knee to the ground, as in worship
sardonic
bitterly sarcastic; mocking; sneering
claustrophobia
fear of enclosed spaces
warp
threads running lengthwise in the loom; crossed by the woof
disrupt
break apart; cause disorder
confidant
(confidante, if a woman) one to who secrets are entrusted
discredit (v)
1. cast doubt on; refuse to believe; 2. take trust or credit away from; disgrace
apiary
place where bees are kept
monogram
two or more letters interwoven to represent a name
bravado
pretense of bravery
polychromatic
having many colors; multicolored (ant. monochromatic)
monument
means of reminding us of a person or event (ie a statue or a tomb)
corrupt
changed ("broken to pieces") from good to bad; vicious
ascetic
a person who shuns pleasures and lives simply
admonitory
conveying a gentle reproof
Chicano
american of mexican descent
galleon
large sailing ship used in war and trade
atypical
not typical
droll
odd and laughter-provoking
stricture
1. adverse criticism (literally "tightening") censure; 2. restriction
clairvoyant
1. clear-sighted; perceptive; discerning; 2. able to perceive matters beyond the ordinary senses
doleful
causing grief or sadness
philhellenism
support of Greece or Greeks
astringent
substance that shrinks tissues and checks blood flow
credit
belief; faith; trust
omnibus
1. bus 2. book containg a variety of works by one author, as a hemingway omnibus
polyarchy
ruled by many; government with 3 or more rules (ant. monarchy)
complaisant
willing to please; obliging; amiable
philately
collection and study of stamps
satiric or satirical
give to or expressing satire
embarcadero
landing place; warf; quay
chagrined
ashamed; mortified
adulation
excessive praise; flattery
evince
show clearlyy; disclose; reveal
blasé
tired of pleasures; bored
matador
bull fighter assigned to kill the bull
winsome
full of winning quality; winning; cheerful; merry
libelous
injurious reputation; defamatory; calumnious
tribulation
suffering; distress
macho
man exhibiting machismo (strong sense of masculinity stressing assertiveness, aggressiveness, physical might, domineering behavior, etc.)
contortionist
person who can twist his or her body into odd postures
dysfunction
abnormal functioning/ not functioning
caballero
1. gentleman; gallant; cavalier; 2. horseman
debutante
younge woman who has just had her debut (introduction into society)
philology
study (love of) language and literature
wax
grow; increase
yearling
one who is a year old
escapade
daring or unconventional act; adventure; caper; prank
sangfroid
coolness of mind in difficult circumstances; composure; equanimity
voracious
1. greedy in eating 2. insatiable, as a voracious appetite
anemia
lack of normal level of red blood cells
buoyant
cheerful
dimorphous
occurring under two distinct forms
dulcinea
sweetheart; inamorata (from Dulcinea, Don Quixote's beloved)
philatelist
stamp collector
cajole
persuade by pleasant words; wheedle; coax
jubilant
showing great joy; rejoicing; exultant
mandate
1. authoritative command 2. territory administered by a trustee (supervisory nation)
emaciated
made unnaturally thin
herbicide
substance that kills plants
protege
someone taught, protected or advanced by a person of experience or influence
naive
simple in nature; artless; ingenuous
gendarme
armed police officer, especially in France or other European countries
pathos
quality in drama, speech, literature etc that arouse a feeling of sadness or pity
compunction
regret; remorse
peon
1. unskilled worker, landless laborer; 2. worker kept in servitude to repay a debt
nonchalant
without concern or enthusiasm; indifferent
ecstasy
rapture; overwhelming joy
omnifarious
of all varieties, forms or kinds
pestilential
mortally harmful; deadly
gala
characterized by festivity
misanthropy
hate of humanity (ant. philanthropy)
chagrin
embarrassment; mortification; dissapointment
parasitic
sponging; living at the expensive of another
acclaim
welcome with approval; applaud loudly
sullen
resentfully silent; glum; morose
warlock
sorcerer; wizard
senorita
unmarried spanish or spanish-speaking woman; young-lady; girl; Miss
behoove
be necessary for; be proper fo
sierra
mountain range having an irregular or serrated outline
infidel
one who does not accept a particular faith; unbeliever
diffident
lacking in self-confidence (faith in oneself); unduly timid; shy (ant. confident)
canyon
deep narrow valley with steep walls, often with water flowing through it, as the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon; gorge
delectable
pleasing;delightful
psychopathic
pertaining to mental disease; insane
pathos
quality in events or in art that arouses our pity
changeling
child secretly exchanged for another in infancy
fungicide
substance that kills fungi or inhibits their growth
untenable
incapable of being held or defended (ant. tenable)
fragile
easily broken; frail; delicate (ant. tough, durable)
extort
wrest (money, promises, etc.) from a person by force
stevedore
one who loads or unloads ships
noblesse oblige
principle that persons of high rank or birth are obliged to act nobly
survive
outlive; remain alive after (ant. perish)
anthropomorphic
attributing human form or characteristics to beings nsot human, especially gods
coterie
set or circle of acquaintances; clique
invincible
incapable of being conquered
facetious
in habit of joking; said in jest without serious intent
anoxia
deprived of (without) oxygen
pathological
due to disease
philosopher
lover of/ searcher of wisdom or knowledge; person who regulates his or her life by the light of reason
contrariwise
on the contrary (ant. likewise)
attaché
member of the diplomatic staff of an ambassador or minister
pensive
melancholy; thoughtful in a sad way
dystopia
imaginary place where living conditions are dreadful (ant. utopia)
parasite
freeloader; animal, plant, or person living on others
obsequious
showing excessive willingness to serve; subservient; fawning
ingenue
actress playing the role of a naive young woman; naive young woman
blissful
very happy
sarcastic
given to or expressing sarcasm
frolic
to play and run happily; have fun; romp
inflexibility
rigidity; firmness
philharmonic
pertaining to musical organization, such as symphony orchestra ( originally loving music)
euphonious
pleasing sound (ant. cacophonous)
incredible
not believable
carnivore
flesh-eating animal
parody
humorous imitation
hidalgo
member of the minor nobility (well below a grandee)
dystrophy
1. faulty nutrition 2 muscle disorder
caudillo
military dictator in Spanish-speaking countries
heteromorphic
exhibiting diversity of form
monotheism
belief in one god (ant. polytheism)
polygon
a closed figure on a plane having many sides and angles
anarchy
absence of rule or government; chaos; disorder
ludicrous
exciting laughter; ridiculous; farcical; absurd
euthanasia
mercy killing (ie to kill someone with cancer so they do not suffer)
deflect
turn ("bend") aside
empathy
understanding another's feelings, motives, etc.
embargo
prohibition (as when 1 nation bars its ports to another's ships or bans weapons shipments to another)
phobia
fear/ aversion/ dread
mettlesome
full of mettle (courage); spirited
retort
quick, witty or cutting reply
convince
persuade or show conclusively by argument or proof
conquistador
conquerer
glum
moody; gloomy; dour
adobe
1. brick of sun-dried clay and straw; 2. structure made of such bricks
anonymous
nameless; of unknown or unnamed origin
squad
small military unit; team; small group formed for a joint effort
élan
enthusiasm; eagerness for action
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
plaudit
applause; enthusiastic praise; acclaim
retinue
group of followers or assistants attending a distinguished person
genocide
deliberate extermination of a racial or cultural group
au courant
well-informed; up to date
omnific
all-creating
sebaceous
greasy; secreting sebum (fatty mater secreted by glands of the skin)
maudlin
weakly sentimental and tearful
therapeutic
curative
attenuate
to make thin; weaken
lissome
lithesome; limber; nimble
tenure
1. period for which an office or position is held, as:"U.S. Supreme Court Justices enjoy life tenure" 2. status assuring an employee a permanent position
éclat
brilliancy of achievement
osteopath
practitioner of osteopathy (treatment of diseases by manipulation of bones, muscles, nerves, etc)
retort
reply quickly or sharply ("twist back")
raconteur
person who excels in telling stories, anecdotes, etc.
monarchy
rule by a single person (ant. polyarchy)
woof
threads running from side to side in a woven fabric; crossed by the warp
unrestricted
1. not confined within bounds; free 2. open to all
eugenics
science dealing with improving hereditary qualtites
junta
1. council for legislation or administration; 2. group of military officers controlling a government after a coup d'etat; 3. junto
convalesce
recover health after illness; recuperate
hypochondriac
one who is morbidly anxious about personal health or suffering form imagined illnes
suckling
child or animal that is nursed
poignant
painfully touching; piercing
monophobia
fear of being alone
flex
bend, as to flex a limb
jocose
given to jesting; playfully humorous; jocular
connoisseur
expert; critical judge
hilarity
noisy gaiety; mirth; jollity; glee
apathy
lack of feeling, emotion, interest or excitement; indifferent
vivacious
lively in temper or conduct (ant. languid, lacking in vigor)
monosyllabic
having one syllable (ant. polysyllabic)
pathetic
arousing pity, sad
anesthetic
a drug that produces anesthesia
monolith
single stone of large size; obelisk
concierge
1. doorkeeper; custodian; janitor 2. hotel employee who handles mail, arranges for theater reservations, etc.
philogyny
love of women (ant. misogyny)
molt
shed feathers, skin, hair, etc.
antidote
remedy for a poison or evil
bronco
wild or half-wild horse
junto
group of persons joined for a common purpose; cligue; group of plotters; faction; cabal
credentials
documents, letters, references, etc., that inspire the belief or trust
legerdemain
sleight of hand; artful trick
satire
language or writing that exposes follies of abuses by holding them to to ridicule
constrict
draw together; render narrower; shrink (ant. expand)
malaise
vague feeling of bodily discomfort or illness
audiophile
one who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction
laudatory
expressing praise; eulogistic
antipathy
aversion; dislike (ant. sympathy)
dysphoria
sense of great unhappiness or dissatisfaction (ant. euphoria)
polyphonic
having many sounds or voices (ant. homophonic, having the same sound)
monitor
keeps track of, regulate, or control the operation of a machine or process
retentive
tenacious; able to retain or remember
misology
hatred of argument, reasoning or discussion
immunize
to make immune
atypical
unlike the typical
sibling
brother or sister (literally, little blood relative)
fiduciary
1. held in trust (fiduciary property) 2. confidential (fiduciary duties of a trustee)
misogamy
hatred of marriage
dyslexia
impairment of the ability to read
noisome
offensive to the sense of smell; unwholesome
gaucho
south american cowboy
polyglot
speaking several languages; person who speaks several languages
calaboose
jail, especially a local one
bona fide
made or carried out in good faith; genuine
pueblo
1. Native American village of southwestern US 2. communal dwelling of adobe or stone in such a village
photophobia
aversion to light
flexible
pliable ("capable of being bent"); no rigid; tractable (ant. inflexible)
premonitory
conveying a forewarning
throes
anguish; pangs
maitre d'hotel
headwaiter
nouveaux riches
person newly rich
ornithology
study of birds
monologue
long speech by one person
curry favor
seek to gain favor by flattery
burro
small donkey used as a pack animal
fracture
1. break or crack 2. breaking of a bone
polytechnic
dealing with applied sciences and technical arts
conviction
1. state of having been judged guilty of an offense 2. strong belief
buoy
to keep afloat; raise spirits of
bibliophile
lover of books (ant. bibliophobe)
biocide
substance that destroys many different organisms
omnibus
covering many things at once, as an omnibus bill
dejection
lowness of spirits; depressed
pertinacious
adhering firmly to a purpose or opinion; very persistent
vanquish
overcome in battle; conquer; defeat
duenna
elderly woman chaperon of a young lady; governess
regimen
set of rules
misogyny
hatred of women
gourmet
connoisseur in eating and drinking
fidelity
1. faithfulness to a trust or vow (ant. perfidy, infidelity) 2. accuracy; faithfulness of sound reproduction
discredit (n)
loss of belief or trust; damage to one's reputation; disgrace
reflex
involuntary response to a stimulus; for example, sneezing is a reflex
nostalgic
homesick
inflection
change in pitch or tone in a person's voice
distort
1. twist out of shape; contort 2. twist out of the true meaning; misrepresent; pervert; falsify
confident
having faith in one's self; self-reliant; sure (ant. apprehensive, diffident)
burly
strongly and heavily built; husky
anent
about; concerning; in respect to
eupepsia
good digestion (ant. dyspepsia)
impertinent
1. irrelevant; not pertinent; inappropriate (ant. pertinent) 2. rude
premonition
forewarning; intuitive anticipation of a coming event
monotonous
continuing in an unchanging tone; wearying
stigma
mark of disgrace
regicide
act of killing (or killer of) a king/royalty
torsion
act of twisting; stress due to twisting forces exerted on a body
nostalgia
homesickness; yearning for the past
nowise
in no way; not at all
dyspepsia
1. difficult digestion; indigestion 2. ill humor; disgruntlement
cherubic
chubby and innocent-looking
tyrannicide
act of killing (or killer of) a tyrant
monogamy
marriage with one person (ant. polygamy)
vaquero
herdsman; cowboy; buckaroo (variate of vaquero)
endomorphic
having a form deriving largely from the embryo's inner layer; having a heavy body build (ant. ectomorphic)
hypertrophy
enlargement of a body part, as from overuse
twosome
a group of two
anesthesia
loss of feeling or sensation from ether, chloroform, novocaine, etc
homicide
killing of one human by another
gauche
lacking social grace; crude; tactless; awkward
imputation
charge; esp. an unjust charge; insinuation; accusation
credence
belief as to the truth of something
hireling
one whose only interest in his or her work is the hire (pay)
convict
prove guilty; show conclusively to be guilty
menagerie
place where many different types of animals are kept
incommunicado
deprived of communication with others, as a prisoner held incommunicado
elite
group of individuals thought to be superior; aristocracy; choice part
omnivorous
1. eating everything, both plant and animal substances 2. avidly taking in everything, as an omnivorous reader
libel
false and defamatory printed or written statement
dysphasia
speech difficulty due to brain injury
sororicide
act of killing (or killer of) one's sister
bourgeoisie
the middle class
devotee
zealous follower; ardent adherent of something or someone; fan
mandatory
obligatory; required by command (ant. optional)
rapport
relationship characterized by harmony, conformity, or affinity
fraction
one or more of the equal parts of a whole; fragment
complacent
too pleased with ones self-often without awareness of possible dangers
encomium
speech or writing of high praise; tribute; eulogy
sycophant
parasitic flatterer; truckler
betimes
early
El Dorado
fabulously rich land that 16th century explorers dreamt of; place of fabulous abundance, wealth or opportunity
morphology
1. branch of biology dealing with the form and structure of animals and plants 2. form and structure of an organism or any of it's parts
salubrious
healthful
credible
believable (ant. incredible)
picaro
adventurer; rogue; vagabond; wanderer
convivial
fond of eating and drinking with friends; sociable
disconsolate
cheerless; inconsolable
asymptomatic
showing no symptoms of disease
aplomb
absolute confidence in oneself; poise; self- possession
lamentable
pitiable; rueful
perfidious
false to a trust; faithless; treacherous
misandry
hatred of males
halcyon
calm; peaceful
fester
form pus; rankle ; rot; putrefy
buxom
plump and attractive
creed or credo
summary of principles in or adhered to
accredited
officially authorized or recognized; provided with credentials
anhydrous
destitute of (without) water
stampede
sudden, wild, headlong rush (as of cattle or people)
bourgeois
1. having to do with the middle class; 2. concerned with petty materialistic interests; lacking in culture or refinement
countermand
issue a contrary order
virulent
extremely poisonous; deadly
sympathy
sharing of another's trouble; compassion (ant. antipathy)
flexor
muscle that serves to bend a limb
omnivore
person or animal that eats everything (both flesh and plants)
armada
fleet of warships (as the mighty but ill-favored Spanish Armada, sent in 1588 against England by Philip II of Spain)
parvenu
person suddenly risen to wealth or power who lacks the proper social qualifications; upstart
Sinophile
supporter of China/Chinese
martinet
person who enforces very strict discipline
incorruptible
inflexibly honest; incapable of being corrupted or bribed
frugivorous
feeding on fruit
aficionado
devoted follower of some sport or art; fan; devotee
obese
extremely overweight; corpulent; portly
anon
soon; presently
monochromatic
of one color (ant. polychromatic)
guerilla
fighter in an irregualr military unit engaging in sabotage and hassment
virus
disease-causing substance too small to be seen through a microscope
flotilla
small fleet; fleet of small vessels
envoy
diplomatic agent or messenger
elated
in high spirits; joyful
corrupt
change ("break to pieces") from good to bad; debase; pervert; falsify
calumnious
falsely and malicious accusing; defamatory
eulogize
write or speak in praise of someone (ant. vilify)
insectivorous
dependent on (lit. "eating") insects as food
stigmatize
brand with a mark of disgrace
officialdom
those having the authority of officials; officials collectively
fiancé
person engaged to be married
confrere
colleague; co-worker; comrade
apnea
temporarily stopped breathing
restrict
keep within limits (literally "keep back"); confine
bactericide
substance that kills bacteria
aseptic
free from disease-causing microorganisms
polysyllabic
multiple syllables (ant. monosyllabic)
remand
send back; recommit, as to a prison
eulogize
praise; extol; laud;glorify
nonpareil
person of unequalled excellence; paragon
pesticide
substance that kills pests (rats, insects, bacteria, etc.)
starveling
one who is thin from lack of food
amorphous
shapeless; unorganized
haggard
careworn; gaunt
monitor
person or device that keeps track of, checks or warns
torture
1. wrench; twist 2. inflict severe pain upon
homeopathy
treatement of disease with minute doses that if given to a health person in large doses would produce effects like of the disease (ant. allopathy)
vivisection
operation of a living animal for scientific investigation
convivial
found of eating and drinking with friends; sociable; jovial; hospitable (ant. taciturn, inclined to silence; stolid; unemotional)
astringent
severe; stern
lesion
injury; hurt
malign
speak evil of; vilify; traduce
complacency
self-satisfaction; smugness
writ of mandamus
written order from a court to enforce the performance of some public duty
travesty
imitation that makes a serious think seem ridiculous; mockery
contrite
showing deep regret and sorrow for wrongdoing
savoir faire
knowledge of just what to say or do; tact
euphemism
subsitution of a good expression for an unpleasant one
convalescent
person recovering from illness
germicide
substance that kills germs
monocle
eyeglass for one eye
meddlesome
intrusive;nosy; impertinent; interfering
pertinent
having to do with the matter at hand; relevant (ant. impertinent)
cargo
goods transported by ship, plane, etc.; freight
dysentery
inflammation of the large intestine
esprit de corps
feeling of union and common interest pervading a group; devotion to a group or to its ideals
blandishment
word or deed of mild flattery allurement; enticement
maladroit
unskillful; clumsy (ant. adroit)
senora
married spanish or spanish-speaking woman; lady; Mrs. Madam
hacienda
1. large estate or ranch; plantation; 2. main house on such an estate
confidential
communicated in trust; secret; private
martyrdom
state of being a martyr
finesse
skill and adroitness in handling a difficult situation
carnivorous
flesh-eating
unguent
slave; ointment
interrupt
break into or between; hinder; stop
ennui
feeling of weariness and discontent; boredom; tedium
mesa
flat-topped rocky hill with steep sides
mustang
bronco
sombrero
broad-rimmed, high-crowned hat of felt or straw
misanthrope
hater of humanity (ant. philanthropist)
beholden
bound in gratitude; indebted
kudos
fame or praise due to achievement
tenancy
period of a tenant's temporary holding of real estate
hilarious
very funny
patricide
act of killing (or killer of) one's father
badger
tease; annoy; nag
euthenic
science dealing with improving living conditions
Latino
Latin American
duckling
little duck
comradery
friendship, rapport, and good will, as among fellow soldiers; camarderie
lionize
treat as highly important
monomorphic
having a single form
wane
decrease; dwindle
convict
person serving a prison sentence
reflect
1. throw back light rays, as from a mirror (but not form a prism, which refracts rays) 2. think
toxic
poisonous
anomalous
not normal; abnormal
pudgy
short and plump; chubby
mestizo
person of mixed American Indian and European ancestry
fratricide
act of killing (or killer of) one's brother
irony
species of humor whose intended meaning is the opposite of the words used; state of affairs contrary to what would normally be expected
matricide
act of killing (or killer of) one's mother
suicide
act of killing (or killer of) one's self
tenacity
firmness in holding fast; persistence
vivid
1. (used with things) having the vigor and spirit of life 2. sharp and clear; graphic
bliss
perfect happiness
parrot
repeat mechanically like a parrot
detention
act of keeping back or detaining
svelte
slender; lithe
fulsome
offensive because of excessive display or obvious insincerity
dejected
sad; in low spirits
monograph
written account of a single thing or class of things
amorphous
without definite form; shapeless; unorganized
astringent
1. drawing (the tissues) tightly together (e.g. to check bleeding) 2. stern, austere
Anglophile
supporter of England/ English (ant. Anglophobe)
heath
tract of land
harlequin
buffoon; clown
morbid
gruesome; having to do with disease or death
gosling
young goose
abrupt
1. broken off; lacking in continuity; steep (ant. sloping); 2. sudden; quick and unexpected (ant. leisurely, deliberate; gradual)
misoneism
hatred of anything new
lackey
a follower why carries out another's wishes like a slave
fractious
apt to break out into a passion; cross; irritable (ant. peaceable)
infraction
act of breaking; breach; violation, as an infraction of the law
philanthropist
lover of humanity; person active in promoting human welfare (ant. misanthrope)
credulous
too ready to believe; easily deceived (ant. incredulous, skeptical)
incredulity
disbelief
derogatory
expressing low esteem; belittling; disparaging
herbivorous
dependent on ( lit. "eating") plants as food
philanthropy
love of humanity; especially as shown in donations to charitable and socially useful causes (ant. misanthropy)
atheism
godlessness; denial of the existence of a god
atrophy
lack of growth, as from disuse, disease or malnourishment
caricature
drawing imitation or description that ridiculously exaggerates peculiarities or defects
behest
command; order
gourmand
person excessively fond of eating and drinking; glutton
cajolery
wheedling; coaxing
elation
euphoria; state of being elated
fulsome
offensive because of insincerity; repulsive
herbivore
plant-eating animal
polygamy
marriage to many people at once (ant. monogamy)
laudable
praiseworthy; commendable
cumbersome
full of encumbrances; burdensome
omnipotent
unlimited in power; almighty
Russophobe
a person who dislikes Russia/ Russians ( ant. Russophile)
ingratiate
work oneself into favor
benign
harmless; gentle; kindly
affidavit
sworn written statement made before an authorized official
evict
1. expel by legal process, as to evict a tenant 2. oust
stripling
lad (young man)
senor
spanish or spanish-speaking man; genleman; Mr.; Sir
émirgré
refugee; person who has fled from his or her native land because of political conditions
agoraphobia
fear of open spaces
immunity
resistance; freedom; exemption
victor
winner; conqueror
Francophile
supporter of France/ French (ant. Francophobe)
slander
false and defamatory spoken statement; calumny
tenet
principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true
lank
lean; ungracefully tall
refractory
resisting; intractable; hard to manage; as a refractory mule (ant. malleable; tractable; adaptable)
stringent
strict (literally "binding tight"); rigid; severe
omnipresent
present everywhere at the same time; ubiquitous
aviary
place where birds are kept
grandee
1. nobleman of the highest rank; 2. person of eminence
valet
manservant who attends to the person needs of his employer, as by taking care of his clothes
omniscient
knowing everything
Germanophobia
fear/ dislike of Germany/ Germans (ant. Germanophilia)
truckle
submit in a subservient manner to a superior; fawn; to make a doormat of one's self
anomaly
deviation from common rule or pattern
insecticide
substance that kills insects
picador
rider on horseback in a bullfight who lances the bull to weaken its neak and shoulder muscles
entrepreneur
one who assumes the ricks and management of a business
levity
lack of proper serious; trifling gaiety; frivolity
plight
unfortunate state; predicament
polymorphic
having various forms (ant. monomorphic)
sarcasm
sneer and often iron language intended to hurt a person's feelings
refract
bend from a straight path (as when light rays, having traveled through air, change direction when entering water, or as when sunlight-having traveled through a prism-breaks up into the colors of the rainbow)
yclept (or ycleped)
named; called
fragment
part broken off
scavenger
animal or person removing refuse, decay, etc
jocund
merry; cheerful;lighthearted
blithe
joyous; merry
acrophobia
fear of being at a great height
chargé d'affairese
temporary subsitute for an ambassador
key
low island or reef, often of coral
malignant
threatening to cause death; very evil
monomorphic
having a single form (ant. polymorphic)
monolithic
huge, massive and rigidly uniform
entourage
group of attendants, assistance or associates accompanying a person
ascetic
shunning pleasures; self-denying; austere
obesity
excessive body weight; corpulence
astringent
substance that shrinks the tissues and checks flow of blood
erupt
burst or break out
tortuous
1. full of twists or curves; winding, as a tortuous road 2. tricky;; crooked; circuitous
renegade
traitor; turncoat; deserter; defector, apostate (ant. adherent)
desperado
bold, dangerous criminal
foundling
infant found after being deserted by its unknown parents
frolicsome
full of merriment; playful
perfidy
violation of a trust; treachery; faithlessness; disloyalty (ant. fidelity; fealty)
xenophobia
aversion to foreigners
rupture
1. break; breaking; 2. hostility
amoral
not moral; without sense of moral responsibility
admonish
warn of a fault; reprove; rebuke (ant. commend)
Anglophobia
fear/ dislike of England/ the English (ant. Anglophilia)
arroyo
1. water-carved, often dry, gully; 2. brook; creek
torture
anguish of body or mind; agony
earldom
realm or dignity of an earl
conviviality
sociability
viral
caused by a virus
infanticide
act of killing (or killer of) an infant
contrition
repentance; remorse; penitence
lament
mourn; deplore
flippant
treating serious matters lightly
devour
1. eat greedily or ravenously 2. seize upon and destroy
boa constrictor
snake that constricts or crushes its prey in its coils
pathetic
arousing pity
vivify
enliven; make vivid

Deck Info

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