Vocab Level H, Unit 1

Adjunct

(N.) Something added to something else as helpful, but not essential; an assistant/ helper; a valuable quality

(Adj.) Added or connected in a subordinate capacity; attached to a faculty in an auxiliary capacity

Caterwaul

(V.) to howl or screech like a cat; to quarrel

(N.) a harsh or noisy cry; a racket

Effete

(Adj.) lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn out/ exhausted; sterile/ unable to produce; out of date

Hierarchy

(N.) any system of things or people arranged or graded one above another in order of rank, wealth, class, etc.

Laissez-faire

(Adj.) philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference, especially with individual freedom of choice and action

Morass

(N.) patch of low, soft, wet ground; a swamp; a confusing situation in which one is entrapped, as in quicksand

Oblivious

(Adj.) forgetful; unaware

Proselyte

(N.) convert; disciple

Ribald

(Adj.) irreverently mocking; coarse, vulgar, or indecent in language

Vignette

(N.) short description or sketch; picture w/ edges that gradually shade off; decorative design on title page of book or at beginning or end of chapter

Bellwether

(N.) male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse; a leader, as in a desperate or violent undertaking; indicator of trends

Chimerical

(Adj.) absurd; wildly fantastic; impossible

Fait accompli

(N.) an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed, fact or action

Hidebound

(Adj.) narrow minded and rigid, especially in opinions or prejudices; stubbornly and unthinkingly conservative

Liturgy

(N.) religious service or rite; the form of a ritual or other act of public worship

Noisome

(Adj.) offensive or disgusting; foul smelling; harmful/ injurious

Poultroon

(N.) base coward

Quasi

(Adj.) resembling, but not actually being; seemingly but not actually or completely

Raillery

(N.) good-humored ridicule; teasing

Supine

(Adj.) lying flat on one’s back; listless/ lethargic; apathetic/ passive