Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Vocab

supplant (v)

to take the place of, supersede

repository (n)

a place designated for storage

omission (n)

someone or something that has been left out or excluded

apocryphal (adj)

of questionable authority or authenticity

pedestrian (adj)

ordinary or dull

inextricable (adj)

impossible to disentangle or separate

discern (v)

to see clearly, recognize

predilection (n)

A preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something

derisive (adj)

expressing contempt or ridicule

eccentric (adj)

unconventional and slightly strange

plausible (adj)

can be believed; reasonable

skimp (v)

to save, be thrifty; to be extremely sparing with; to give little attention or effort to

conspicuous (adj)

Easily seen or noticed

marshal (v)

to gather together

diurnal (adj)

Happening or active during the day

rehabilitate (v)

to return to normal life

volatile (adj)

highly unstable; explosive

wan (adj)

sickly pale

vicinity (n)

the area near or surrounding a particular place

bask (v)

to expose oneself to pleasant warmth

daft (adj)

senseless, stupid, or foolish

redolent (adj)

fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arouse memories or create an aura

raucous (adj)

unpleasantly loud and harsh

ambient (adj)

surrounding

culmination (n)

the climax toward which something progresses

shrill (adj)

high-pitched and piercing

refract (v)

to bend light so that it looks like it is broken

obsequious (adj)

obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree

antics (n)

ridiculous and unpredictable behavior or actions

sidle (v)

move sideways, especially in a shy or sneaky manner

scintillating (adj)

sparkling, twinkling, exceptionally brilliant (applied to mental or personal qualities)

gourmand (n)

someone fond of eating and drinking

officious (adj)

excessively eager to deliver unasked-for or unwanted help

callous (adj)

unfeeling, insensitive, emotionally hardened

aural (adj)

of or related to the ear or the sense of hearing

excrete (v)

to pass solid or liquid waste matter from the body

nuance (adj)

a slight or subtle degree of difference

fetid (adj)

foul-smelling; putrid

obscure (v)

to make difficult to see, vague

sublimate (v)

to redirect the energy of a biological or instinctual impulse into a higher or more acceptable channel

peruse (v)

to read carefully

dichotomy (n)

a division into two parts

tedium (n)

dullness; monotony; boredom

bemuse (v)

to confuse or bewilder

moil (v)

to toil and slave

affectation (n)

behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress

nonchalance (n)

carelessness; lack of interest or concern

dole (n)

benefit paid by the government

volition (n)

a conscious choice or decision, will

vitriolic (adj)

bitter, sarcastic

ply (v)

to use diligently; to engage in

pique (v)

stimulate (interest or curiosity)

exacerbate (v)

to make worse

tenable (adj)

capable of being held or defended

squalid (adj)

filthy, wretched

cauterize (v)

to burn

salient (adj)

most noticeable or important

throng (v)

crowd

dais (n)

raised platform

din (n)

loud noise

Reverberate (V)

To be repeated as in a series of echoes or vibrations

Coalesce (v)

to come together

Giddy (adj)

dizzy; light-headed; lacking seriousness

Lewd (adj)

vulgar, offensive, rude

licentious (adj)

immoral; unrestrained by society

Archaic (adj)

ancient; old-fashioned

Inept (adj)

unskilled; clumsy

adept (adj)

Skilled; expert at

Loathe (v)

to hate

Smug (adj)

overly self-satisfied, self-righteous

Ingratiate (v)

to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)

Contemptuous (adj)

Feeling hatred; scornful

Permeate (v)

to spread throughout

Brash (adj)

self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way

Notion (n)

idea