English 11 Vocab Unit 5

Acuity

sharpness (particularly of the mind or senses)

delineate

to portray, sketch, or describe in accurate and vivid detail; to represent pictorially

depraved

marked by evil and corruption, devoid of moral principles

enervate

to weaken or lessen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of; enfeeble, hamstring

esoteric

intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret

fecund

fruitful in offspring or vegetation; intellectually productive

fiat

an arbitrary order or degreel a command or act of will or consciousness

figment

a farication of the mind; an arbitrary notion

garner

to acquire as a result of effort; to gather and store away, as for future use

hallow

to set apart as holy or sacred, sanctify, consecrate; to honor greatly, revere

idiosyncrasy

a peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify

ignominy

shame and disgrace

mundane

earthly, worldly, relating to practical and material affairs; concerned with what is ordinary

nuance

a subtle or slight variation (as in color, quality), delicate gradation or shade of difference

overweening

conceited, presumptuous; excessive, immoderate

penchant

a strong attraction or inclination

reputed

according to reputation or general belief; having widespread acceptance and good reputation

sophistry

reasoning that seems plausible but is actually unsound; a fallacy

sumptuous

costly, rich, magnificent

ubiquitous

present or existing everywhere