vocab level f unit 9 def

abate

v. to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside become less, to nullify; to deduct, omit

adulation

n. praise or fattery that is excessive

anathema

n. an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)

astute

adj. shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom

culpable

adj. deserving blame, worthy of condemnation

avarice

n. a greedy desire, particularly for wealth

dilatory

adj. tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or postpone

egregious

adj. conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable sense)

equivocate

v. to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous

evanescent

adj. vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy

irresolute

adj. unable to make up one's mind, hesitating

nebulous

adj. cloudlike, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent; vague, confused, indistinct

novice

n. one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience

penury

v. extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency

pretentious

adj. done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one's skill or abilities, ambitious

resuscitate

v. revive, bring back to consciousness or existence

recapitulate

to review a series of facts; to sum up

slovenly

adj. untidy, dirty, careless

supposition

n. something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence

torpid

adj. inactive, sluggish, dull