English - Lesson 6 Vocab

anomalous

(adj.) abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual - atypical, unusual

aspersion

(n.) a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming - innuendo,

bizzare

(adj.) extremely strange, unusual, atypical - outlandish

brusque

(adj.) abrupt, blunt, with no formalities - curt, tactless

cajole

(v.) to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises - wheedle, persuade, sweet-talk

castigate

(v.) to punish severely; to criticize severely - chastise, rebuke

contrive

(v.) to plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan - think up, devise

demagogue

(n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power - firebrand, rabble rouser

disabuse

(v.) to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking - enlighten, undecisive, set straight

ennui

(n.) weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom - listlessness

fetter

(n.) a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural); anything that confines or restrains; (v.) to chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent - n) bond, restraint v) chain, shackle

heinous

(adj.) very wicked, offensive, hateful - evil, odious

immutable

(adj.) not subject to change, constant - unchangeable, fixed

insurgent

(n.) one who rebels or rises against authority; (adj.) rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on - (adj) revolutionary, rebellious

megalomania

(n.) a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality - delusions of grandeur

sinecure

(n.) a position requiring little or no work; an easy job - "no show" job, cushy job

surreptitious

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

transgress

(v.) to go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law - overstep, exceed, trespass

transmute

(v.) to change from one nature, substance, or form to another - transform, convert, translate

vicarious

(adj.) performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another - surrogate, substitute