Building a Better Vocabulary

Target Word
and Part of Speech 'H¿QLWLRQ

LECTURE

No.

PDOIHDVDQFH (noun) an illegal or harmful act,

XVXDOO\FRPPLWWHGE\DSXEOLFRI¿FLDO

that violates the public trust

7

PDOLQJHU (verb) to fake or exaggerate illness,

usually to avoid work

7

PDQXPLW (verb) to release from slavery or servitude 13

PDXGOLQ (adjective) foolishly, tearfully, and weakly sentimental;

overly emotional

4

PDXQGHU (verb) to talk aimlessly and incoherently 16

PDZ (noun) the mouth, throat, or gullet of an animal,

particularly a carnivorous animal

20

PDZNLVK (adjective) excessively and objectionably sentimental 4

PHPH (noun) an idea, behavior, style, or usage that

spreads from person to person in a culture

36

PHUFXULDO (adjective) 1. liable to sudden and unpredictable

change; volatile; erratic

2. animated, lively, quick-witted

11

PLVDQWKURSH (noun) someone who hates and distrusts all people 9

PROO\FRGGOH (verb) to overindulge; to treat with excessive

attention to the point of spoiling someone

5

PRUGDQW(adjective) bitingly sarcastic 29

PRULEXQG (adjective) 1. approaching death; coming to an end

2. no longer effective or active; stagnant;
   not progressing or advancing

8

PRWMXVWH (noun) the exact, appropriate word or expression

for a situation

35

PRXQWHEDQN (noun) DÀDPER\DQWVZLQGOHUDÀLPÀDPPHU

someone who claims to be an expert but isn’t

3

PR[LH (noun) 1. WKHDELOLW\WRIDFHGLI¿FXOW\ZLWKVSLULW

and courage

2. aggressive energy, vigor, verge,
   and pep or skill and know-how

23

PXJJOH (noun) a person who lacks a particular skill or

knowledge of a subject; someone who is

regarded as inferior in some way

36