Vocab Workshop Level F - Unit 9

abate

abate

(v.) to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit

adulation

(n.) praise or flattery that is excessive

anathema

(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)

astute

(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom

avarice

(n.) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth

culpable

(adj.) deserving blame, worthy of condemnation

dilatory

(adj.) tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or postpone

egregious

(adj.) conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable sense)

equivocate

(v.) to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous

evanescent

(adj.) vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy

irresolute

(adj.) unable to make up one's mind, hesitating

nebulous

(adj.) cloudlike, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent; vague, confused, indistinct

novice

(n.) one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience (also used adjectivally)

penury

(n.) extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency

pretentious

(adj.) done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one's skill or abilities, ambitious

recapitulate

(v.) to review a series of facts; to sum up

resuscitate

(v.) to revive, bring back to consciousness or existence

slovenly

(adj.) untidy, dirty, careless

supposition

(n.) something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence

torpid

(adj.) inactive, sluggish, dull