Vocab 5

Cleft

Split, divided, or partially divided into two.

Intermission

A pause or interval, typically during the middle of a performance or event.

Ambivalent

Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

Benidiction

An utterance of good wishes; a blessing (often spelled Benediction).

Benefactor

A person who gives money or other help to a person or cause.

Benign

Gentle; kindly; (of a disease) not harmful in effect.

Burgeon

To begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.

Complacent

Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.

Congregate

To gather into a crowd or mass.

Dexterous

Showing or having skill, especially with the hands.

Elusive

Difficult to find, catch, or achieve.

Encroach

To intrude on a person's territory or a little-known right.

Equanimity

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

Equitable

Fair and impartial.

Impede

To delay or prevent someone or something by obstructing them.

Invoke

To cite or appeal to (someone or something) as an authority for an action or in support of an argument.

Irrevocable

Not able to be changed, reversed, or recovered; final.

Malaise

A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify.

Malfeasance

Wrongdoing, especially by a public official.

Placate

To make (someone) less angry or hostile.

Thwart

To prevent someone from accomplishing something.

Vociferous

(Of a person or speech) vehement or clamorous; loud and passionate.

Volition

The faculty or power of using one's will.

Eulogy

A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, typically someone who has just died.

Inscribing

Writing or carving words or symbols on something, especially as a permanent record.

Curtailed

Reduced in extent or quantity; imposed a restriction on.

Ordinance

A authoritative order or law; a decree.

Peripheral

Relating to or situated on the edge or periphery of something.

Circumvent

To find a way around (an obstacle).

Circumspect

Wary and unwilling to take risks.

Amoral

Lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something.

Despondent

In low spirits from loss of hope or courage.