Reading & Study Skills Vocabulary: Key Terms and Definitions

arbitrary

Impulsive

intercede

To plead for someone

decipher

To figure out

dispatch

To send

amoral

Lacking ethical principles

flagrant

Obvious

incoherent

Unclear

constitute

To form

discern

To see clearly

appease

To calm

conventional

Usual

amiable

Good-natured

elicit

To bring out

implausible

Unbelievable

confiscate

To take possession of

adjacent

Close

attribute

Characteristic

comprehensive

Complete

altruistic

Unselfish

adamant

Firm

degenerate

To get worse

calamity

A tragedy

allusion

A hint about

concurrent

Occurring at the same time

absolve

To clear from guilt

acclaim

Praise

attest

To declare to be true

vulnerable

Open

recession

An economic setback

taint

To damage

malign

To speak ill

terminate

To end

venture

To dare

orient

To locate

suffice

To be adequate

prerequisite

A requirement

tangible

Solid

syndrome

A group of symptoms

nocturnal

Of the night

epitome

A perfect model

turmoil

Disorder

sinister

Evil

predominant

Main

obsolete

Extinct

mercenary

Greedy

encounter

A meeting

rehabilitate

To return to normal life

mobile

Movable

scrutiny

Attraction

nominal

Very little

ponder

To think about

methodical

Orderly

eccentric

Odd

euphemism

A term that does not offend

exemplify

To give an example of

sanctuary

A shelter

hypothetical

Imaginary

antagonist

An enemy

enigma

A puzzle

exploit

To take advantage of

persevere

To keep going

banal

Unoriginal

intricate

Complicated

default

Not to do something required

enhance

To make better

animosity

Strong dislike

assail

To attack

escalate

To expand

fluctuate

To vary