Flashcards: Advanced English Vocabs 1/x (Definition)
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knowledge_worker on February 2, 2012
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Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 incidentals | An incidental detail, expense, etc: "meals, taxis, and other incidentals" |
| altercation | A noisy argument or disagreement, esp. in public. |
| precinct | A precinct is a space enclosed by the walls or other boundaries of a particular place or building, or by an arbitrary and imaginary line drawn around it. |
| to rejig | to re-equip (a factory or plant) 2. to rearrange, to alter, or manipulate, sometimes in an unscrupulous way |
| door prize | A prize awarded by lottery to the holder of a ticket purchased or distributed at a dance, party, or other function. |
| pitted | Having a hollow or indentation on the surface. OR (of a fruit) Having had the stone removed. |
| savory | pleasant or agreeable in taste or smell |
| mendacious | dishonest, untruthful, not telling the truth, lying |
| attrition | The gradual reduction of a workforce by employees' leaving and not being replaced. |
| (to be) commensurate to / with sth./sb. | of equal extent or duration ; corresponding in amount, magnitude, or degree ; proportionate, adequate |
| to curate | organize and oversee. to be in charge of (an art exhibition or museum) |
| nadir | the lowest point; point of greatest adversity or despair. |
| snide | Derogatory in a malicious, superior way ; Disparaging or derisive in an insinuative way. |
| salutary | Promoting good health; wholesome; curative. |
| graft(ing) | Make money by shady or dishonest means. Practices, esp. bribery, used to secure illicit gains in politics or business; corruption. |
| Suit yourself | You decide the way you want it.; Have it your way. |
| sang-froid | aplomb: great coolness and composure under strain; "keep your cool" |
| uncanny | strange or mysterious, esp. in an unsettling way |
| numb | Adjective: Deprived of the power of sensation. Verb: Deprive of feeling or responsiveness. |
| demeanor | Outward behavior or bearing |
| mellow | gentle and compassionate by age or maturity; well-matured ; soft, sweet |
| vivacious | Attractively lively and animated (esp. of a woman) |
| Contrition or contriteness | is sincere and complete remorse (i.e. regret with a sense of guilt) for sins one has committed. The remorseful person is said to be contrite. |
| somber | Dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy ; murky ; black |
| lapel | the fold of the front of a coat that is usually a continuation of the collar, cp. lapel pin |
| mooring | A vessel is said to be moored when it is fastened to a fixed object such as a bollard, pier, quay or the seabed, or to a floating object such as an anchor buoy. |
| lanky | (of a person) Ungracefully thin and tall. |
| inveterate | Having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change. |
| renege | renounce ; go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract. |
| hoodlum | A person who engages in crime and violence; a hooligan or gangster. |
| disdain | The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt. |
| incertitude | A state of uncertainty or hesitation |
| vanity | Excessive pride in - or admiration of - one's own appearance or achievements. |
| to vet (vetted) | Investigate (someone) thoroughly, esp. in order to ensure that they are suitable for a job requiring secrecy, loyalty, or trustworthiness. Make a careful and critical examination of (something). |
| askance (noun) | With an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval |
| destitute (verb) | Without the basic necessities of life. |
| (to stand) akimbo | With hands on the hips and elbows turned outward. |
| tryst (noun) | A private, romantic rendezvous between lovers. |
| dilated (adj.) | Make or become wider, larger, or more open. |
| unwitting | (of a person) Not aware of the full facts: "an unwitting accomplice" ; Not done on purpose, unintentional. |
| self-exculpate | Show or declare that one is not guilty of wrongdoing. |
| retribution | Punishment that is considered to be morally right and fully deserved. |
| ruse | An action intended to deceive someone; a trick |
| stultifying | Cause to lose enthusiasm and initiative, esp. as a result of a tedious or restrictive routine. |
| busking | Street performance: To play music or perform entertainment in a public place, usually for gratuities (soliciting money). |
| smarmy | of low sleazy taste or quality, marked by false earnestness |
| mannerism | A habitual gesture or way of speaking or behaving |
| artisanal | Non-industrial; made by hand. Made by a skilled manual worker (artisan) who makes specialty items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewelry, household items, and tools. |
| decoction | The action or process of extracting the essence of something. |
| dumb luck | When something happens by "sheer dumb luck", it is considered to have happened unintentionally and without planning. |
| southpaw | A left-handed person, esp. a boxer who leads with the right hand or a baseball pitcher. |
| sand(-)bagging | Hiding the strength, skill or difficulty of something or someone early in an engagement. (deliberately playing below one's actual ability in order to fool opponents) |
| libertine | A person, esp. a man, who behaves without moral principles. |
| protean | Able to do many different things; versatile. Tending or able to change frequently or easily. |
| quiescent | In a state or period of inactivity or dormancy |
| conflate | Combine (two or more texts, ideas, etc.) into one |
| apologetics | Reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine. (It is based on the Greek word for defense, ἀπολογία (apologia).) |
| coarse | Rough or loose in texture or grain. Made of large grains or particles. |
| tardy | Slow in action or response; sluggish. Delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late. |
| stonewalled | Delay or block (a request, process, or person) by refusing to answer questions or by giving evasive replies, esp. in politics. |
| bespectacled | (of a person) Wearing eyeglasses. |
| abrasive | (of a person or manner) Showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh |
| devolution | Descent or degeneration to a lower or worse state |
| indolent | Wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy - idle - sluggish. |
| prideful | disdainful: having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy |
| caboose | A railroad car with accommodations for the train crew, typically attached to the end of the train. |
| to throw the book at | To apply the harshest possible punishment, to charge with or convict of as many crimes as possible. |
| stiffing | Cheat (someone) out of something, esp. money: "several workers were stiffed out of their pay". |
| iconoclastic | characterized by attack on established beliefs or institutions |
| quandary | a practical dilemma. Perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation. |
| skirmish | An episode of irregular or unpremeditated fighting (clashes, encounters), esp. between small or outlying parts of armies or fleets. |
| ransack | ... |
| unabashedly | ? |
| hyperbole | Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. |
| preponderance | superiority in power or influence |
| gullibl | Easily persuaded to believe something; credulous, naive, trustful. |
| venerate | Regard with great respect; revere |
| jonesing | to have a strong need, desire, or craving for something. |
| well up | come up (as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things) |
| precipitously | very suddenly and to a great degree |
| complexion | refers to the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially that of the face. |
| heist | a term used to describe a robbery from an institution such as a bank or a museum, or any robbery in which there is a large haul of loot. |
| arrears | a legal term for the part of a debt that is overdue after missing one or more required payments. The term is usually used in relation with periodically recurring payments. |
| lugubrious | Looking or sounding sad and dismal. |
| unbecoming | (esp. of clothing or a color) Not flattering. (of a person's attitude or behavior) Not fitting or appropriate; unseemly. |