50 Questions
devious meaning
"Devious" describes behavior or actions that are deceitful, dishonest, or characterized by cunning and indirectness.
paragon meaning
model of perfection in some quality or trait
pinnacle
most successful point; culmination (peak)
niceties
nuances, subtleties
prudent
acting/showing care/thought for future
interpose
"To interpose" means to insert or place something between two or more objects, people, or entities. It can also refer to intervening or coming between parties in a situation or conflict
asocial
antisocial
relic
artefact
adept
"Adept" describes someone who is highly skilled, proficient, or capable in a particular activity, field, or area of expertise.
quizzical
confused, puzzled
stratagens
plan to beat opponent and achieve an end
masquerade
pretense
impediment
smth that prevents or interferes w process, power or right.
e.g. impatience is a principal impediment to power
billiard ball
the ball you use to play for pool
carom
rebound
consumnate
showing great skill/flair
virtuous
show high moral standards
pragmatism
realistic-ness
ingratiate
bring oneself into favour with sm1 by flattering/trying to please them
ostensible
seemingly true, but may not be
chateau
big french country house/castle
musketeer
solder armed with musket (gun)
countenance (1)
admit as acceptable/possible
e.g. he could not countenance being outside in lavishness by anyone
countenance (2)
a facial expression
countenance (3)
support/approval
vanity
narcissism (with appearance/achievements)
indispensable
absolutely necessary
bestow (smth)
present (smth)
define parsimony
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
e.g. a man famous for his parsimony and for giving the dullest parties in paris
inadvertently
w/out knowledge or intent
e.g. he found a convenient excuse to rid himself of a man who had inadvertently made him feel insecure
pre-eminence
superiority
precarious (a precarious position)
a position thats likely to collapse/fall
medicis
italian banking family and politcal dynasty
cosmic
relating to universe
emblem
symbol
enthronement
a monarch being seated on throne for the first time
ascendency
state of having power/control over others
e.g. the heavens reflected the ascendency of the medici family
patronage
support provided by patrol to individual by providing aid
vagaries
rapid changes in circumstances/behaviours/events
ignoble
describes actions/qualities that are dishonourable or unworthy of respect
e.g. an ignoble job
vaunting
show off excessively
"common misperception to believe that by displaying and vaunting your gifts and talents, you are winning the master's affection"
fortress
strongly defended building
conspiracy
secret plan made by group to commit a bad act, typically against another person
"Borgia justified the horrible deed with some sort of trumped-up charge of treason and conspiracy"
vain
narcissistic
loftily
manner characterised by high position
rancor
intense, bitter resentment
a master may rancor at you instead
ill will
hostile (unfriendly) feelings/intentions direct to someone; desire to harm
ascribe
credit smth
scruples
moral/ethical principles- act as guide to behaviour
your master had no such scruples in his own cold-blooded climb
gauge
estimate/determine size/amt of smth OR a device used for measuring smth
Study Notes
Vocabulary
- Devious: having or showing a sneaky or cunning quality
- Paragon: a model of excellence or perfection
- Pinnacle: the highest or most superior point of something
- Niceties: small, polite details or formalities
- Prudent: showing careful thought and good judgment
- Interpose: to place or position something between two or more things
- Asocial: not wanting to be with other people
- Relic: an object that remains from a past time or event
- Adept: very skilled or proficient in a particular activity
- Quizzical: having a curious or questioning expression
- Stratagems: clever or cunning plans or tactics
- Masquerade: a party or event where people wear masks to disguise themselves
- Impediment: a physical or mental condition that makes it difficult to do something
- Billiard ball: a ball used in the game of billiards
- Carom: to rebound or bounce off something else
- Consummate: to complete or fulfill something
- Virtuous: having good moral qualities
- Pragmatism: a practical approach to problems or situations
- Ingratiate: to try to win favor or approval by doing something pleasant or flattering
- Ostensible: appearing to be true or genuine, but possibly not actually so
- Chateau: a large, impressive house or castle
- Musketeer: a type of soldier or swordsman, especially in 17th-century France
- Countenance (1): a person's face or expression
- Countenance (2): to approve or tolerate something
- Countenance (3): to show a particular expression or attitude
- Vanity: having or showing an excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments
- Indispensable: absolutely necessary or essential
- Bestow: to give or present something to someone
- Parsimony: the quality of being very careful with money or resources
- Inadvertently: unintentionally or accidentally
- Pre-eminence: the state of being superior or more important than others
- Precarious: unstable or uncertain
- Medicis: a powerful and wealthy family in medieval Italy
- Cosmic: relating to the universe or space
- Emblem: a symbol or object that represents a particular idea or quality
- Enthronement: the act of crowning or seating someone in a position of power
- Ascendency: the state of being in a position of power or influence
- Patronage: the support or backing of a person or organization
- Vagaries: unpredictable or unexplained changes or behavior
- Ignoble: not noble or honorable
- Vaunting: boasting or bragging about something
- Fortress: a strong, secure building or place
- Conspiracy: a secret plan or agreement to do something harmful or illegal
- Vain: having or showing an excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments
- Loftily: in a proud or superior manner
- Rancor: a strong, bitter feeling of anger or hatred
- Ill will: a feeling of anger, resentment, or hostility towards someone
- Ascribe: to attribute or assign a particular quality or characteristic to someone
- Scruples: strong feelings of doubt or hesitation about something
- Gauge: to measure or judge the size or amount of something
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