vocab 27-28

caustic

Sarcastically biting; acrid.

contaminant

Something that causes impurity, defiles or pollutes.

deference

Courteous going along with the opinions or wishes of another.

engrossed

Completely occupied or absorbed.

fickle

Likely to change; capricious.

gilded

Overlaid with a thin covering of gold.

grandiose

Impressive and imposing.

graphic

Vivid; descriptive.

gravity

Seriousness; importance.

heterogeneity

State of being dissimilar; composition from unlike elements.

prostration

A stretching out due to lacking vitality and being overcome.

recapitulation

A summary.

resilient

Ability to return to a former state.

resolute

Characterized by a decided purpose.

savant

A scholar; a learned person.

stalwart

One who supports a cause with firm partisanship.

steadfastness

Quality of being fixed with little chance of moving or changing.

syllabus

A brief outline of the main points of a text or course of study.

tactile

Perceptible by touch; capable of being felt.

troupe

A company or group, usually theatrical performers.

indigence

Poverty; destitution.

inception

The beginning of something.

jocular

Jesting or joking.

nebulous

Lacking clarity of feature or sharpness of outline.

proclivity

Inclination; tendency.

prudent

Wise and careful about practical matters.

prevalent

Generally or widely accepted, current, or practiced.

recalcitrant

Very stubborn; refusing to obey; unruly.

sectarian

A member of a sect that is a faction with extreme beliefs.

virtuous

Having excellent morals; righteous.

ambulatory

Able to walk or move around.

archipelago

A group of islands.

buffoon

A clown; a silly or stupid person.

delineation

An outline; depiction; portrayal.

demagogue

A person or leader who appeals to passions or prejudices.

fledgling

An immature or inexperienced person; a young bird that is ready to fly.

inculcate

To teach persistently and earnestly.

malcontent

A person who is constantly dissatisfied and discontented.

neophyte

A recent convert; beginner; novice.

parable

A short fictitious story that has a moral.