Common English Regents Vocabulary

generalization

(n) a statement that may be true in most situations, but is not true all of the time.

hierarchy

(n) a ranking system that places one above another; chain of command

urbanize

(v) to build up houses, cities, etc. in the countryside; to change a place into a town-like area.

rigid

(adj) very strict, inflexible, and difficult to change

quotas

(n) a specific proportion, share, or amount of something that is allowed in a particular period

partial

(adj) incomplete; unfinished

chronic

(adj) continues for a long time and cannot be easily cured or resolved

dictate

(v) to command or order with force; to decree

chronological

(adj) in time or number order

coexist

(v) to exist together

deteriorate

(v) to become worse; to decline

dominant

(adj) the most noticeable or most significant

element

(n) one of the parts or factors that makes up a whole

emerge

(v) to be revealed; to become obvious

ailment

(n)sickness; illness

assertive

(adj) behaving confidently so that you are noticed

contingent

(adj) dependent upon something that may or may not happen in the future

convene

(v) to assemble or meet formally

deter

(v) to prevent or discourage one from doing something

disdain

(adj) hatred or contempt for

oust

(v) to force someone out of a position of power

staunch

(adj) very firm in opinion or loyalty

zealous

(adj) extremely interested in and excited about something that you believe in, and behaving in a way that shows this

futile

useless; hopeless

hostile

(adj.) unfriendly; unfavorable; warlike, aggressive

indifferent

having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned

surreptitious

(adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud

scorn

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

optimistic

hopeful and confident about the future

desolate

deserted, without inhabitants, barren