Week 4 Flashcards
Alacrity
Briskness, lively action
The waiter moved with alacrity because he perceived* they were big tippers.
Disdain
Contempt
When the curtain came down, the critic’s face registered the disdain she felt for the lackluster* play.
Belligerent
Warlike
His belligerent manner caused him to lose one friend after another.
Intimidate
To overawe
Y2K concerns of the January 1, 2000 problems with computers failed to intimidate our company.
Feint
A false attack
The Germans were duped* by the Allies’ feint toward the south, leaving the way open for the Normandy invasion.
Pugnacious
Quarrelsome
Since everyone can outpunch my cousin, he cannot afford to be pugnacious.
Promulgate
To make known officially
We implored* the faculty advisor to promulgate the requirements for the presidency of the club.
Brash
Impudent
My mother liked the salesman’s brash personality, but he irritated most people.
Scoff
I don’t understand modern art, but I neither loathe* nor scoff at it.
Belittle
To make seem less important
Although Ralph can’t play, he doesn’t hesitate to belittle the efforts of our football team.
Tangible
Having actual form
Mr. Dixon belittled* our request for tangible proof of his loyalty.
Laceration
Jagged wound
The medic reached into his kit to find a bandage for the urly laceration.
Castigate
To correct by punishing
The kindly foreman was too reticent* to openly castigate the clumsy new worker.
Sordid
Dirty, base
Stories of their sordid youth poured forth from the unhappy felons*.
Octogenarian
Person in his or her eighties
When the teenager announced her engagement to the octogenarian, the public suspected it to be a publicity stunt.
