Caged Bird Vocab 2

approbation

approval or praise

bedizened

dressed up or decorated gaudily

blase

indifferent, bored, apathetic

blasphemous

disrespectful toward what is considered sacred

blithe

cheerful, lighthearted; casual, unconcerned

bourgeoisie

middle class

colloquial

characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation

comeuppance

a punishment or fate that someone deserves

dirge

a funeral hymn or mournful speech

ecumenical

worldwide or universal in influence or application

elocution

the art of public speaking

filial

of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter

florid

excessively decorated or embellished

frivolity

lack of seriousness

gauche

awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy

impertinence

lack of respect; rudeness

marauding

engaged in raiding for plunder, especially roaming about and ravaging an area

obeisance

a bow or similar gesture expressing deep respect

onerous

burdensome; heavy; hard to endure

pariah

an outcast

perfunctory

acting routinely with little interest or care

placate

to appease, soothe, pacify

rakish

dashingly stylish and confident

resolute

determined; steadfast

retributive

done as a penalty or punishment

supercilious

arrogant; behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others

tripartite

consisting of three parts

unscrupulously

having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair

vestige

a trace or evidence of something that once existed

winsome

charming, cheerful, pleasing (often suggesting a childlike charm and innocence)