intercede- to plead on behalf of someone else, to serve as a third party or go-to between a disagreement
She will intercede in the dispute between the two children as soon as they will be playing happily again.
hackneyed- used so often as to lack in freshness or originality
The Great Gatsby tells a universal story about being marred by hackneyed prose.
approbation- the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval
My broad hint that I had paid for the lessons myself brought smiles of approbation from all the judges at the piano recital.
innuendo- a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)
Those lacking the facts or afraid of reprisals often tarnish an enemy's reputation by use of innuendo.
coalition- a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose
The various community organizations formed a coalition to lobby against parking laws.
elicit-to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)
My attempt to elicit information over the phone was met with a barrage of irrelevant recordings.
hiatus- a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)
I was awakened not by a sudden sound but by a hiatus in the din f traffic
assuage- to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench
Her eyes told me that more than a few well-chosen words would be needed to assuage her hurt feelings.
decadence- decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self indulgence
Some characterized her love of chocolate as decadence because she ate at least two candy bars a day.
expostulate- to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning
Shakespeare's Hamlet finds it useless to expostulate with his mother for siding with his stepfather.
simulate- to make a pretense o, imitate, to show the outer signs of
Some skilled actors can simulate emotions the might never have felt in life.
jaded- wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)
The wilted handclasp and the fast-melting smile mark the jaded refugee from too many parties.
umbrage-shade cast by trees, foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; offense; resentment; a vague suspicion
She hesitated to offer her opinion, fearing that they would take umbrage at her criticism.
prerogative- a special right or privilege; a special quality, showing excellence
She seemed to feel that a snooze at her desk was not an annoying habit but the prerogative of a veteran employee.
lurid- causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensation; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint
Bright, sensational, and often lurid some old-time movie posters make today's newspaper ads look lame.
transcend- to rise above or beyond, exceed
A great wok of art may be said to transcend time, and it is remembered for decades, or even centuries.
provincial-pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward. of a simple, plan design that originated in the countryside, a person with a narrow point of view; a person from an outlying area, a soldier from a provence or colony
The banjo, once thought to be a provincial product of the Southern hills, actually came her from Africa.
petulant- peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset
An overworked parent may be unlikely to indulge in the complaints of a petulant child.
unctuous- excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily, pliable
Her constant inquiring about the health of my family at first seemed friendly, later merely unctuous.
meritorious- worthy, deserving recognition and praise
Many years of meritorious service could not dissuade him from feeling that he had not chosen work that he liked.
No comments:
Post a Comment