Improving Vocabulary Skills - 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

pseudonym

n a false name used by an author; a pen name

condescend

v to do something one feels is beneath oneself

blasé

a unexcited or bored about something already experienced repeatedly

facade

n the front of a builing

redundant

a wordy or needlessly repetitive

benign

a kindly; gentle

libel

n the publishing of false information that harms a persons reputation

haughty

a proud of one’s appearance or accomplishments to the point of looking down on others; arrogant

comprise

v to consist of; include

glib

a characterized by a smooth, easy manner of speaking that often suggests insincerity or thoughtless

endow

v to provide with a talent or quality

disdain

n an attitude or feeling of contempt; scorn

expulsion

n the act or condition of being forced to leave

ominous

a threatening harm or evil; menacing

divulge

v to reveal; make known

averse

a having a feeling of dislike or distaste of something

mortify

v to humiliate or embarrass

detract

v to lessen what is admirable or worthwhile about something

elation

n a feeling of great joy or pride

nullify

v to make legally ineffective; cancel

improvise

v to compose or provide without preparation; invent

credible

a believable

interim

n the period of time in between; meantime

designate

v to name an office or duty; appoint

simulate

v to act or look like; imitate

secular

a not directly related to religion; not spiritual, worldly

cursory

a done quickly and without attention to detail

shun

v to keep away from; avoid consistently

latent

a present but hidden or inactive

deviate

v to turn aside or stray, as from a path, direction, or standard

menial

a not requiring special skills or higher intellectual abilities

empathy

n the ability to share in someone else’s feelings or thoughts

transcend

v to rise above or go beyond the limits of; exceed

commemorate

v to honor the memory of someone or somethign as with a ceremony; celebrate; observe

waive

v to willingly give up( as a claim, privelge, or right); do without

consensus

nn an opinion held by everyone (or almost everyone) involved

complacent

a self satisfied; feeling too much satisfaction with oneself or one’s accomplishments

dilligent

a steady, determined, and careful in work

niche

n an activity ot situation especially suited to a person

deplete

v to use up

bizarre

a dramatically unusual; as in manner or appearance; strange

conducive

a tending to promote or bring about

falter

v to act or speak with uncertainty; hesistate

flaunt

v to show off (something)

frenzy

n a wild outburst of excited feelings or actions

gist

n the main point or essential part of a matter; central idea

hamper

v to limit, interfere with, or restrict

paradox

n a statement that seems contradictory yet may be true

repertoire

n a range or collection of skills or accomplishments

viable

a workable, capable of being successful or effective