english winter exam vocab

indolence

laziness

agnostic

a person unwilling to commit to an opinion about something, especially relating to religion/ belief in God

conspiratorial

suggestive of conspiracy (secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act)

acuity

keenness of perception

incessant

continuing or following without interruption

lasciviousness

lewd, lustful

menagerie

a place where animals are kept and trained especially for exhibition

discernment

the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure

depravity

a corrupt act or practice

discordant

quarrelsome

athiest

one who believes there is no diety

venerable

old, a calling forth of respect through age, character, and attainments

sadist

excessive cruelty; sexual perversion in which gratification is obtained by the infliction of physical or mental pain ON others

contrite

feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming

amenable

answerable, willing, reponsible, obedient

lethargy

abnormal drowsiness; the quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent

petulant

insolent or rude in speech or behavior

pious

marked by or showing reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship

existential

the idea that the individual solely has the responsibility of giving one's own life meaning and living that life passionately and sincerely in spite of obstacles or distractions

apoplectic

affected with, inclined to, or showing symptoms of stroke, greatly excited or angered

precarious

dependent on chance circumstances, unknown conditions, or uncertain developments; characterized by a lack of security or stability that threatens with danger

nemesis

a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent

deputation

a group of people appointed to represent others

lecherous

inordinate indulgence in sexual activity

raiments

clothing, garments

cataleptic

a trancelike state marked by loss of voluntary motion in which the limbs remain in whatever position they are placed

maniacal

crazy; characterized by ungovernable excitement or frenzy

virulent

marked by a rapid, severe, and destructive course; extremely poisonous or venomous; full of malice

elicit

to draw forth or bring out

elusive

tending to evade grasp or pursuit; hard to comprehend or define

amicable

friendly

placid

calm

marauder

to roam about and raid in search of plunder

imperative

not to be avoided or evaded; necessary

conundrum

an intricate and difficult problem, a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun

insouciant

nonchalance

opressive

unreasonably burdensome or severe, tyrannical

poignant

painfully affecting the feelings, deeply touching, designed to make an impression

futile

serving no useful purpose; completely ineffective

attrition

sorrow for one's sins that arises from a motive other than that for the love of G-d, also a reduction in numbers usually as a result of resignation, retirement, or death

ensconce

to shelter or conceal, or establish, settle

sentient

aware; responsive to or conscious of sense impressions

abscond

to depart secretly and hide oneself

sanguinary

bloodthirsty, murderous

malaise

an indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness, a vague sense of mental or moral ill being

compliant

conforming to requirements, submissive

respite

a period of temporary delay; an interval of rest or relief

apathy

a lack of feeling, emotion, or interest/ concern

arduous

hard to accomplish or achieve; difficult

gregarious

sociable

subordinate

placed in or occupying a lower class, rank, or position; controlled by authority

assent

to agree to something especially after thoughtful consideration

olfactory

of or relating to the sense of smell

bedlam

a place, scene, or state of uproar and confusion

symbiotic

a cooperative relationship, especially between different types/groups of people

conjecture

a conclusion deduced by surmise or guesswork

copious

yielding something abundantly, plentiful in number

decile

easily taught, led, or managed

indignant

filled with anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean

incongruous

incompatible, not harmonious

remonstrate

to say or plead in protest, reproof, or opposition

supplicate

To make a humble entreaty, to pray to G-d

mien

appearance, demeanor

rebuke

to criticize sharply; to reprimand

disconsolate

cheerless, dejected, downcast

chimera

an illusion or fabrication of the mind

edifice

building, especially large or massive structure

selpulchres

tombs, place of burial

inauspicious

boding ill, negative in connotation, a bad sign

indubitably

unquestionably, too evident to be doubted

evanescent

tending to vanish like vapor

ignomity

deep personal humiliation and disgrace, disgraceful or dishonorable conduct, quality, or action

iniquity

wickedness, sin

conspicuous

obvious to the eye or mind

amenable

liable to be brought to account, answerable

efficacy

the power to produce an effect

infamy

evil reputation brought about by something grossly criminal, shocking, or brutal

annihilate

to destroy completely

penance

an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin

prolific

marked by abundant inventiveness or productivity

ludicrous

meriting derisive laughter or scorn as absurdly inept, false, or foolish

pious

showing reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship

apothecary

pharmacist, one who prepares or sells drugs for medicinal purposes

sagacity

of keen judgement, discerning

abode

the place where one resides, home

tenacious

persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired

palliate

to ease symptoms without causing the underlying cause, to cover by excuses and apologies

efficacious

having the power to produce a desired effect

impalpable

incapable of being felt by touch; intangible; not readily discerned by the mind

somnambulism

an abnormal condition of sleep in which motor acts (as walking) are performed- sleepwalking

expiation

the act of making atonement

calamity

a state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss, disasterous event

despotic

acting with absolute power and authority

auspicious

hopeful, advantageous, being a good omen

sedulous

involving or accomplished with careful perseverance, diligent in application or pursuit

malignant

evil in nature, influence, or effect, tending to produce death or deterioration

dexterity

mental skill or quickness, readiness and grace in physical activity

capricious

impulsive and unpredictable

petualant

insolent or rude in speech or behavior

loquacity

the quality of being wordy and talkative