Sadlier Oxford's Vocabulary Workshop Level H Unit 3

ancillary

(adj). subordinate or supplementary

bowdlerize

(v). to remove material considered offensive (from a book, play, film, etc.)

condescend

(v). to come down or stoop voluntarily to a lower level; to deal with people in a patronizing manner

cozen

(v). to trick; to cheat or swindle

enclave

(n). an enclosed district, region, or area inhabited by a particular group of people or having a special character

forte

(n). a person's strong point; what a person does best

gratis

(adj). free; (adv). without charge

icon

(n). a representation or image of a sacred personage, often considered sacred itself; an image or picture; a symbol; a graphic symbol on a computer monitor display; an object of blind devotion

SYN: emblem, idol

interstice

(n). a small, narrow space between things or parts of things

macrocosm

(n). the universe considered as a whole; the entire complex structure of something

mountebank

(n). a trickster or swindler; a charlatan

paean

(n). a song of prase, joy, or triumph

persiflage

(n). lighthearted joking, talk, or writing

plethora

(n). overfullness; superabundance; superfluity

pragmatic

(adj). concerned with practical considerations or values; dealing with actions and results rather than with abstract theory; stiff in one's opinions

quizzical

(adj). puzzled; mocking; odd; equivocal

rapacity

(n). inordinate greed; the disposition to obtain one's desires by force, extortion, or plunder

schism

(n). a formal split within a religious organization; any division or separation of a group or organization into hostile factions

therapeutic

(adj). having the power to heal or cure; beneficial

virtuoso

(n). a brilliant performer; a person with masterly skill or technique; (adj). masterly or brilliant