English IIII-Sadlier Unit 3

abominate

abominate

(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for S: loathe, abhor, despise, detest A: relish, savor, esteem

acculturation

(n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend S: adaptation

adventitious

(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital S: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous A: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenial

ascribe

(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute S: impute, credit

circuitous

(adj.) roundabout, not direct S: indirect, meandering, winding A: straight, direct, as the crow flies

commiserate

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress S: feel sorry for, empathize A: feel no sympathy for

enjoin

(v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit S: bid, charge, adjure A: allow, permit

expedite

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster S: accelerate, facilitate, speed up A: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct

expiate

(v.) to make amends; make up for; to avert

ferment

(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; to be in or work into S: commotion, turmoil, unrest A: peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

inadvertent

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental S: accidental A: deliberate, intentional

nominal

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously S; titular, inconsequential A: actual, exorbitant

noncommittal

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position S: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to vest A; positive, definite, committed

peculate

(v.) to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use S: defraud, misappropriate

proclivity

(n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human (character or behavior) S: penchant, propensity A: inability, incapacity

sangfroid

(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances S: poise, self-assurance, equanimity A: excitability, hysteria, flappability

seditious

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government S: mutinous, rebellious A; supportive, faithful, allegiant

tenuous

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported S: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy A: strong, solid, substantial, vaild

vitriolic

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid) S: withering, acerbic, mordant A: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

wheedle

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end S: inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk A: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm