Just Vocabulary

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  • Published: Sep 12, 08
    RIBALD = (adj.) coarsely or irreverently humorous , describes language that is humorously vulgar and sexual; (noun) aperson who uses language that is humorously vulgar.Example: - The stand-up comedian entertained his audience with ribald stories.- Joanne didn't like the movie Knocked Up because it was full of ribald jokes.- The ribald made everyone at the restaurant feel uncomfortable with lewd comments about the food.Synonyms: (adj.) rude, crude, lewd, profane, dirty, indecent, vulgar, racy,&nb
     
  • Published: Sep 8, 08
    PRESAGE = (v.) to predict that something will happen, especially somethingunpleasant; (n.) 1. a warning or sign of a future event; 2. a bad oruneasy feeling of something to come. Examples:- The October snow was a presage to a very hard winter. - A sluggish stock market usually presages an economic recession - Other than some shortness of breath, he didn't have any of the signs that usually presage a heart attack.Synonyms: (v.) foreshadow, foretell, predict, portend, (n.) indication, predict
     
  • Published: Aug 4, 08
    INEXORABLE = 1. unstoppable: impossible to stop2. adamant and pitiless: not moved by anyone's attempts to plead or persuadeExamples:- Because the German soccer team still had not been defeated, its climb to the top seemed inexorable. - Frank was inexorable in his determination to play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.- The Managing Director was inexorable in his plan to overtake the biggest competitor.Synonyms: unyielding, adamant, obstinate, hard-nosed, relentless, stubborn, unstoppableAntonyms: y
     
  • Published: Jul 31, 08
    VENEER = (noun) 1. deceptive appearance: a superficial appearance or show put on to please or impress others. 2. a thin layer of a material bonded to the surface of a less attractive or inferior material.Example: - The Godfather managed to hide his corrupt dealings under a veneer of respectability.- The wardrobe is made of chipboard with a pine veneer.- Frank had a veneer of sophistication but was really just a bully.Synonyms: surface, lamination, layer, facade, front, false front.GOSSAMER
     
  • Published: Jul 28, 08
    TRENCHANT = 1. expressed in a forceful, direct, and effective way; 2. deliberately hurtful.Examples: - With trenchant criticism, the minister said that his opponent lacked morality. - There were boos and hisses during the Marc's speech, but the mosttrenchant comment came from his colleague, "you suck." - Lisa wrote a trenchant and powerful essay about World War II. Synonyms: sarcastic, biting, clear, critical, forceful, incisive, powerful, Antonyms: indirect, flatteringLANGUID = 1. l
     
  • Published: Jul 22, 08
    HALCYON = 1. tranquil and free from disturbance or care 2. happy and carefree; (n.) 1. a mythical bird thought to have brought calm to the seas; Examples:- Lisa recalled the halcyon days of her youth.- The sea went from stormy and turbulent to calm and halcyon. - I love the lake when it is serene and halcyon.Synonyms: peaceful, placid, calm, tranquil, serene, balmy, golden, Antonyms: turbulent, hectic, unhappyFALTER =
     
  • Published: Jul 20, 08
    JETTISON = 1. to discard or abandon something such as an idea or project. 2. to throw something from a ship, aircraft, or vehicle.Examples:- As ratings dropped, the station jettisoned educational podcasts. - Seawater filled the Titanic so rapidly that Leonardo began to frantically jettison unnecessary items.  - Microsoft was forced to jettison some of their ideas when it became clear that their plans were too elaborate.Synonyms: abandon, cast off, discard, expel, unload, eliminateAntonyms:
     
  • Published: Jul 18, 08
    REVIVE = 1. to bring back to life; 2. to give new life or energy to something; 3. to restore and renew.  Example:- A hot shower and a cup of tea will revive you.- Traditional skills are being revived by local craftsmen.- The paramedics revived the unconscious man after several minutes. Synonyms: restore, renew, rejuvenate, revitalize, refresh, resurrect,Antonyms: extinguish, killPONTIFICATE =  speak pompously: to speak about something in a knowing and self-important way, especiall
     
  • Published: Jul 16, 08
    VIRTUOUS = with moral integrity: having or showing moral goodness or righteousness. A good moral quality in a person, or the general quality of goodness in a personExample: - I've been up working since six o'clock this morning so I'm feeling very virtuous.- He described them as a virtuous and hard-working people.- I'm convinced he only does that charity work so that he can feel virtuous.Synonyms: moral, ethical, honest, conscientious, scrupulous, principled, upstanding,Antonyms: virtueless,
     
  • Published: Jul 13, 08
    DRAWL = a way of speaking in which the speaker draws out the vowel sounds and pronounces words slowlyExamples:- Frank drawled when he spoke, so that all his words ran together as one. - I find his Texas drawl to be rather charming. Synonyms: accentAntonyms: enunciationVOCIFEROUS = shouting noisily: shouting in a noisy and determined wayExamples:- The vociferous coach yelled at the players throughout the entire game. - Vociferous people express their opinionsand complaints loudly and r
     
  • Published: Jul 7, 08
    INVETERATE = 1. fixed in a habit or practice, especially a bad one. 2. firmly established and of long standing.Examples:- Frank was an inveterate smoker and there was little hope of him being able to quit. - Even after retiring from the army, he was unable to discontinuehis inveterate visual scanning of a room. - Tracy is known as an inveterate liar, so beware of believing her.Synonyms: habitual, confirmed, chronic, abiding, protracted, customaryAntony
     
  • Published: Jun 27, 08
    HARANGUE = (n.) a forceful, public criticism made in a speech or sometimes inwriting; (v.)  to criticize or question somebody, or try to persuade somebody to do something in a forceful angry wayExamples:- Frank's lawyer made comments, which were marked by a vicious harangue against the defendant. - Joanne's parents will sometimes come up to her room and harangue her for playing her music too loud. - Marc delivered a long harangue to his students.Synonyms: diatribe, rant, tirade, a
     
  • Published: Jun 23, 08
    INSULAR = 1. not interested in new or foreign ideas; 2. originating on an island; 3. alone, like an islandExamples:- Marc's insular attitude toward foreign cultures restricted his desire to travel. - My sister was quite happy to grow up in herinsular environment, but once she got older, she was ready to breakfree and explore the world.- Many older people cling to insular beliefs without ever considering other people's opinions.Synonyms: narrow-minded, provincial, confined, conservative, Antonym
     
  • Published: Jun 18, 08
    TRANSITORY = not permanent or lasting, but existing only for a short time. Examples:- The Dutch soccer team took an early but transitory lead in the first half of Sunday's game. - According to the government, the sudden shift in consumer spending will prove to be transitory. - The "green flash" is a transitory green glow on the horizon at the moment the sun sets.Synonyms: temporary, short-term, short-lived, momentary, fleeting, transientAntonyms: lengthy, long-lived, permanentSTRATIFY
     
  • Published: Jun 12, 08
    FURTIVE = (adjective) Secretive: done in a way that is intended to escape notice. Shifty: presenting the appearance, or giving the impression, of somebody who has something to hid Examples:- Marc knew what Frank was about to say and shot his friend a furtive glance. - James Bond's actions were furtive enough not to arouse suspicion. - Lisa's furtive manner made Phil question what exactly he was up to.Synonyms: sly, stealthy, surreptitious, shifty, sneaky, secretive,  Antonyms: open, obvio