cavalier(KAV uh LEAR) adj. 1. casual or unconcerned attitude; an indifference
to matters of concern or importance; 2. arrogant and haughty —n.1. a knight or
armed horseman; 2. a courteous, gallant gentleman
- Barry had a cavalierattitude about his manners, and it would someday
come back to haunt him. - Vaughn was so cavalierthat most others felt he was looking down his nose
at them. - Part of the outfit of a French cavalierwas a wide-brimmed felt hat with an
ostrich plume sticking out. - Cavaliersmade a point of helping damsels in distress.
[-ly adv.]
charisma(kuh RIZ muh) n. a special quality or charm that encourages loyalty
or devotion - Joan of Arc’s charismais what made her soldiers follow her leadership.
- A rock star or a movie star who has charismaattracts a large band of
devotees.
[-tic adj., -tically adv.]
chary(CHAI ree) adj. 1. careful; cautious; 2. not giving freely; sparing - Tania was charyof hurting anyone’s feelings.
- The cafeteria attendant was charyof the size of the portions she meted out.
[charily adv.] [Syn. wary]
chemical(KEM ik uhl) adj. 1. of or having something to do with chemistry;
- made by or used by chemistry —n. 1. involving the use of alcohol and/or drugs;
- any of the chemical elements or a compound thereof
- Chemistry studies how chemicalsinteract or fail to interact.
•A chemicalreaction always occurs when an acid and a base are mixed
together, with the resulting compounds being a salt and water. - It is essential that people avoid developing dependencies on chemicals.
- If a chemicalis an acid, its formula always contains an H (for hydrogen).
[-ly adv.]
churlish(CHOER lish) adj. 1. boorish; surly or mean; 2. peasantlike; ill man-
nered; ill bred - It was Shirley’s churlishnature that kept everyone at a distance from her.
- Evan was churlish,as if he’d been brought up in a barn.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. boorish]
C: GRE Words 257