Master sophisticated context clue strategies for inferring meaning of complex vocabulary in academic and test passages.
20 cards
Front
Eschew
Back
Definition: To deliberately avoid or abstain from something, especially on moral or practical grounds. Example: The minimalist designer eschewed ornamentation, favoring clean lines and functional forms. Etymology: From Old French 'eschiver' (to shun, avoid) and Proto-Germanic '*skiuhwjana' (to frighten, startle).
Front
Proscribe
Back
Definition: To forbid, condemn, or denounce as harmful or unlawful; to outlaw. Example: The treaty proscribes the use of chemical weapons in any military conflict, declaring such actions war crimes. Etymology: From Latin 'proscribere' (to publish, post publicly as outlawed, condemn), combining 'pro-' (before, in public) + 'scribere' (to write).
Front
Gainsay
Back
Definition: To deny, contradict, or oppose; to speak against or declare false. Example: No evidence could gainsay her testimony, for three independent witnesses corroborated every detail. Etymology: From Middle English 'geyn-sayen' (to speak against), combining 'geyn' (again, against) + 'sayen' (to say).
Front
Verisimilitude
Back
The appearance of being true or real; believability, plausibility. Synonyms: realism, plausibility; Antonyms: implausibility, falseness, unreality. From Latin *verisimilis* (“truth-like,” from *veri* “true” + *similis* “like”).
Front
Recapitulate
Back
Definition: To summarize or repeat the main points; in biology, to replay evolutionary stages during development. Example: At the close of her lecture, the professor recapitulated the three major theories she had presented. Etymology: From Late Latin 'recapitulare' (to summarize by chapters), from Latin 're-' (again) + 'caput' (head, chapter).
Sign up to access the full deck with spaced repetition review.
Sign Up — Free