English 12A Vocabulary Unit 5

Acuity

(n.) sharpness (particularly of the mind or senses)

Delineate

(v.) To portray, sketch, or describe in accurate and vivid detail; to represent pictorially

Depraved

(adj..) Marked by evil and corruption, devoid of moral principles

Enervate

(v.) To weaken or lesen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of; enfeeble, hamstring

Esoteric

(adj.) Intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret

Fecund

(adj.) fruitful in offspring or vegetation; intellectually productive

Fiat

(n.) an arbitrary order or decree; a command or act of will or consciousness

Figment

(n.) a fabrication of the mind; an arbitrary notion

Garner

(v.) to acquire as the result of effort; to gather and store away, as for future use

Hallow

(v.) to set apart as holy or sacred, sanctify, consecrate; to honor greatly, revere

Idiosyncrasy

(n.) a peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify

Ignominy

(n.) shame and disgrace

Mundane

(adj.) earthly, worldly, relating to practical and material affairs; concerned with what is ordinary

Nuance

(n.) a subtle or slight variation (as in color, meaning, quality), delicate gradation or shade of difference

Overweening

(adj) conceited, presumptuous; excessive, immoderate

Penchant

(n.) a strong attraction or inclination

Reputed

(adj.) according to reputation or general belief; having widespread acceptance and good reputation;

Sophistry

(n) reasoning that seems plausible but is actually unsound; a fallacy

Sumptuous

(adj.) costly, rich, magnificent

Ubiquitous

(adj.) present or existing everywhere