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Lesson 1 Definitions
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Altruisitc | unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others,generous Antonyms:Belligerent, Stingy, Selfish Nuns and Nurses are very altruistic people since they seek ways to help people. Derivatives:Altruism,Altruist,Altruistically |
Ambivalent | having contrary feelings or attitudes, uncertain as to course of action Synonyms:undecided, Antonyms:Certain;firmly convinced I am ambivalent about a permanent relationship with him,because I like him one day and I don't the next. Derivatives:ambival |
Angular | lean;sharp cornered;gaunt Antonyms:rotund The patient has lost so much weight that his face has become quite angular. Derivatives:Angulate,angularity,angulation,angulator |
Arrogant | overbearingly assuming;insolently proud Synonyms:Presumptuous,haughty,imperious,brazen Antonym:meek,modest Because the girl was so arrogant, she had few friends. Derivatives: Averseness,aversely, averse |
Aversion | Strong disinclination;disliking Synonyms:hesitance,loathing,reluctance Antonym:Inclination I have an aversion to get married. Derivatives: averseness,aversely,averse |
Discern | To differentiate between 2 or more things Antonyms:to ignore; to be oblivious Because of the fog I was barely able to discern the landing strip. Derivatives: |
Disdain | to treat with scorn or contempt, to reject as unworthy Synonyms:arrogant,high-handed Antonyms:favor, to love Never having had to do with manual labor he disdained the idea of becoming a cotton picker. Derivatives:disdained, disdaining |
Disparage | To degrade, to speak of someone or something in a derogatory manner. Synonyms:belittle, deprecate Antonyms:to praise profusely His disparaging remarks about me caused the committee to give the job to another person. Derivatives:disparagement,disparage |
Disparity | Inequality, the condition or fact of being unequal in age, rank, or degree. Antonyms:similarity The couple got married even though there was great disparity in their ages Derivatives:disparately,disparate |
Embellish | To decorate, to make beautiful with ornamentation. Synonyms:deck,garnish,ornament Antonym:to abbreviate He would embellish his narratives with anecdotes about famous people. Derivatives:embellishment, embellisher |
Engender | To cause, to produce, to create. Antonyms: to squelch His angry words engendered strife in his relationship with his wife. Derivatives: engendered, engenderer |
Innocuous | Harmless, producing no injury. Antonyms: dangerous,injurious Since the drink is innocuous, it is okay for us to have some Derivatives:innocuously, innocuousness |
Insipid | Boring and stupid Synonyms:banal, flat Antonym:spirited and animated I am bored by your insipid talk. Derivatives:insipidity, insipidly |
Lament | to mourn or to express sorrow in a demonstrative manner Synonyms:bemoan, bewail Antonym: to rejoice She lamented the death of her father in a very lachrymose manner. Derivatives:lamented, lamenting,lamentable |
Laud | To praise, to extol Synonyms: revere Antonyms:to defame Her performance was lauded by all critics. Derivatives: Laudability,laudable |
Obscure | Difficult to see , vague Synonyms: abstruse, ambiguous Antonym:clear, apparent Because the meaning of the play was obscure, i was unable to enjoy it. Derivatives: obscurative,obscurely,obscureness |
Ostentatious | Showy, pretentious Synonyms:pompous Antonyms:modest The ostentatious socialite wore her mink fur coat even during the warmest days of August. Derivatives: ostentation , ostentatiousness |
Prodigal | Wasteful, a person given to extravagance. Synonyms: Lavish,lush Antonyms:thrifty individual The prodigal son squandered his inheritance. Derivatives:prodigality, prodially |
Repudiate | To reject, to disown, to disavow Antonyms: to adopt He announced that he would repudiate all debts that had been created by his wife. Derivatives: repudiation, repudiator |
Reticence | Restraint in speech, reluctance to speak Synonyms:reserve,taciturnity Antonyms:candor A lawyer must have a great reticence in discussing matters that could violate his client's rights. Derivatives:reticency,reticent,reticently |
Revere | To honor, to regard with respect Synonyms:adore,worship Antonyms:to despise Nearly all Catholics revere the pope. Derivatives:reverence,reverent,reverentially |
Serene | Calm, placid Synonyms:tranquil Antonyms:agitated The mountain on a clear spring morning is a serene setting. Derivatives:serenely,sereneness |
Subtle | Delicate, elusive, not obvious Antonyms:obvious,gross, blunt To avoid being obtrusive in the elegant restaurant, he used subtle gestures to call the waiter to his table. Derivatives:subtilist, subtility,subtlety |
Superfluous | Beyond what is needed, an overflow Antonyms: necessary The meeting lasted so lucky long because of many superfluous comments by some speakers. Derivatives:superfluously,superfluent |
Taciturn | Quiet, not verbose Synonyms:reserved,reticent Antonyms: loquacious;talkative A shy person is usually taciturn. Derivatives:tacit,tacitly,taciturnity |