English Vocab Test
Terms
undefined, object
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- swarthy
- having a dark complexion or color
- vex
- to annoy or bother
- paragon
- a model of excellence or perfection
- enamor
- to inspire with love; to captivate
- effigy
- a crude figure or dummy representing a hated person or group [was burned in effigy]
- compulsion
- an irresistible impulse to act
- heathen
- an individual or group considered irreligious, uncivilized, or unenlightened
- antagonism
- an actively expressed feeling of dislike or hostility toward something
- displace
- to change the place of; to place in another situation
- improvident
- rash; incautious; lacking foresight
- recrimination
- a counter accusation
- harbinger
- an indication of the approach of something or someone; (v.) to foreshadow or presage
- tumult
- a disorderly commotion or disturbance
- contrive
- to plan with evil intent; to invent or fabricate
- garrulous
- tiresomely talkative; loquacious
- enthrall
- to hold spellbound; to captivate
- ostracize
- to exclude or banish from a group
- visage
- facial expression
- affliction
- pain, suffering, distress or the cause thereof
- disparage
- to speak in a disrespectful or insulting way
- stunted
- inferior in size or quality
- blasphemy
- an act or comment that shows contempt or irreverence for something considered sacred
- corpulent
- excessively fat
- upbraid
- to reproach or condemn
- cynicism
- an attitude of jaded negativity; a distrust of others' motives
- lamentation
- the passionate expression of grief
- defile
- to make dirty or filthy; to pollute
- sojourn
- to reside temporarily. (n.) a temporary stay; a brief period of residence
- rebuke
- to criticize sharply. (n.) a sharp criticism
- menace
- (n.) a possible danger or threat; (v.) to endanger or utter threats against
- officious
- marked by excessive eagerness in offering unwanted services or advice
- effulgence
- a brilliant radiance
- obsequious
- fawning; conspicuously obedient or submissive
- spurious
- lacking authenticity; not genuine
- perjure
- to make oneself guilty by lying under oath [usually followed by a reflexive pronoun, like herself]
- indiscretion
- lack judgment; a petty misdeed
- mutinous
- unruly; turbulent and uncontrollable
- sodden
- thoroughly soaked; saturated
- furtive
- stealth-like; shifty; secretive
- bastion
- a well-fortified position; a group or someone who defends a principle
- taboo
- something forbidden or prohibited by social custom
- recoil
- to shrink back from fear or repugnance; to spring back, as upon firing
- belligerent
- inclined to fight or be aggressive or hostile
- derision
- contemptuous or jeering laughter; ridicule [usually the object of a preposition]
- faction
- a group of people—usually a contentious minority within a larger group
- travail
- work that involves pain or agony; tribulation or anguish
- errant
- straying from the right course or acceptable standards
- flail
- to wave or swing vigorously; to thrash
- dubious
- of questionable character; doubtful, uncertain, undecided
- gaudy
- showy in a tasteless or vulgar way (synonyms: loud or tacky)
- bane
- something that causes misery or pain; the bane of my existence
- austerity
- strict or severe discipline; the trait of self-denial
- conclave
- a secret or confidential meeting
- parry
- to deflect or ward off
- wrench
- to twist or turn suddenly and forcibly. (n.) a sudden sharp, forcible twist or turn
- languor
- lack of physical or mental energy; listlessness; oppressive quiet or stillness
- scion
- a descendant or heir
- malevolent
- malicious; having or exhibiting ill will
- daunting
- intimidating; discouraging through fear
- sloth
- aversion to work; laziness; indolence
- vile
- depraved; loathsome; objectionable
- chasm
- a deep opening in the earth's surface; a pronounced difference of opinion or loyalty
- incantation
- ritual recitation of charms or spells to produce a magic effect
- vie
- to compete for something; to engage in a contest
- strident
- offensively loud and harsh
- mortification
- a feeling of shame, humiliation, or wounded pride
- benevolent
- characterized by doing good; charitable
- grimace
- a facial expression that expresses pain, contempt, or disgust
- supplicant
- someone who prays or begs for something, like forgiveness (doesn't have only a religious connotation)
- gesticulate
- to make gestures while speaking, to add emphasis
- pestilence
- a usually fatal epidemic disease; an extremely harmful influence or agent
- myriad
- constituting a large, indefinite number; innumerable: the myriad fish in the ocean
- woo
- to seek someone's affection; to court a woman
- fervor
- great warmth and intensity of emotion
- eccentric
- departing from conventional norms or patterns; strange; odd