Vocab Unit 4

atrophy

n. the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure; (v.) to waste away

Syn: (n.) degeneration, deterioration; (v.) wither
Ant: (n.) growth; (v.) mature

bastion

(n.) a fortified place, stronghold

Syn: citadel, rampart, parapet

concord

(n.) a state of agreement, harmony, unanimity; a treaty, pact, covenant

Ant: disagreement, strife, discord.

consummate

(adj.) complete or perfect in the highest degree; (v.) to bring to a state of completion or perfection

Syn: (adj.) masterful; (v.) clinch, conclude
Ant: (v.) launch, initiate, began, kick off

disarray

(n.) disorder, confusion; (v.) to throw into disorder

Syn: (n.) disorganization; (v.) dishevel, mess up
Ant: (n.) organization, order, tidiness

exigency

(u., often pl.) urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need; an emergency

Syn: requirement, crisis

flotsam

(n.) Floating debris; homeless, impoverished people.
(SYN: floating wreckage)

frenetic

(adj.) Frenzied, highly agitated.
(SYN: frantic, overwrought)
(ANT: calm, controlled, relaxed, leisurely)

glean

(v.) to gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of gran left in a field by the reapers

Syn: Cull, pick up

grouse

(n.) a type of game bird; a compliant; (v.) to complain, grumble

Syn. v. kvetch, bellyache

incarcerate

(v.) To imprison, confine, jail.
(SYN: intern)
(ANT: liberate, free)

incumbent

(adj.) obligatory, required; (n.) one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of

Syn: (adj.) mandatory, necessary
Ant: (adj.) optional, unnecessary

jocular

(adj.) humorous, jesting, jolly, joking.

Syn: waggish, facetious, droll
Ant: solemn, grave, earnest, grim

ludicrous

(adj.) Ridiculous, laughable, absurd.
(SYN: risible, preposterous)
(ANT: heartrending, poignant, pathetic)

mordant

(adj.) biting or caustic in though, manner, or style; sharply or bitterly harsh
Syn: acrimonious, acidulous, sardonic, scathing
Ant: Bland, mild, gentle, soothing

nettle

(n.) a prickly or stinging plant; (v.) to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger; to vex or irritate severely

Syn: (v.) peeve, annoy, incense, gall
Ant: (v.) please, delight, soothe, pacify

pecuniary

(adj.) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money

Syn: monetary

pusillanimous

(adj) contemptible cowardly or mean-spirited

Syn: lily-livered
Ant: Stouthearted, courageous

recumbent

(adj.) in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one sleeping or resting

Syn: prone, supine, inactive
Ant: erect, energetic, dynamic

stratagem

(n.) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end

Syn: trick, ploy, subterfuge