English 6

Terms in this set (15)

lithe
(adj.) graceful, flexible, supple (Although the dancers were all outstanding, Joanna's control of her lithe body was particularly impressive.)
lurid
(adj.) ghastly, sensational (Barry's story, in which he described a character torturing his neighbour's tortoise, was judged too lurid to be published on the English Library's website.)
maverick
(n.) an independent, nonconformist person (John is a real maverick and always does things his own way.)
maxim
(n.) a common saying expressing a principle of conduct (Ms. Stone's etiquettemaxims are both entertaining and instructional.)
meticulous
(adj.) extremely careful with details (The ornate needlework in the bride's gown was a product of meticulous handiwork.)
modicum
(n.) a small amount of something (Refusing to display even a modicum of sensitivity, Magda announced her boss's affair to the entire office.)
morose
(adj.) gloomy or sullen (David's morose nature made him very unpleasant to talk to.)
myriad
(adj.) consisting of a very great number (It was difficult to decide what to do on Saturday night because the city presented us with myriad possibilities for fun.)
nadir
(n.) the lowest point of something (My day was boring, but the nadir came when my new car was stolen.)
nominal
(adj.) trifling, insignificant (Because he was moving the following week and needed to get rid of his furniture more than he needed money, Kim sold everything for a nominal price.)
novice
(n.) a beginner, someone without training or experience (Because we were allnovices at archery, our instructor decided to begin with the basics
nuance
(n.) a slight variation in meaning, tone, expression (The nuances of the poem were not obvious to the casual reader, but the teacher was able to point them out.)
oblivious
(adj.) lacking consciousness or awareness of something (Oblivious to the burning smell emanating from the kitchen, my father did not notice that the rolls in the oven were burned until much too late.)
obsequious
(adj.) excessively compliant or submissive (Donald acted like Susan's servant, obeying her every request in an obsequious manner.)
obtuse
(adj.) lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect (Political opponents warned that the prime minister's obtuse approach to foreign policy would embroil the nation in mindless war.)
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