English 10A - Vocabulary List 1 & 2

Abase

(v.): behave in a way that degrades someone

Acquiesce

(v.): to agree reluctantly

Aversion

(n.): a strong dislike

Benevolent

(adj.): well meaning; kindly

Bias

(n.): prejudice

Cajole

(v.): persuading someone to do something by coaxing

Conciliatory

(adj.): intended to make someone less angry

Dearth

(n.): lack of something

Emaciated

(adj.): abnormally thin or weak

Emollient

(adj.): smoothening/softening the skin

Evince

(v.): reveal the presence of

Guile

(n.): sly

Hackneyed

(adj.): lacking significance because overused

Hierarchy

(n.): a system in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status

Imperious

(adj.): assuming authority without justification

Inane

(adj.): ridiculous

Irascible

 (adj.): tendency to be easily angered

Juxtaposition

 (n.): two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect

Largesse

(n.): generosity in giving gifts/money to others

Licentious

(adj.): unprincipled in sexual matters

Malleable

(adj.): easily influenced

Mollify

 (v.): appease the anger or anxiety of someone

Nefarious

(adj.): evil/criminal

Oration

(n.): a formal speech given on a ceremonial occasion

Panacea

(n.): remedy to all difficulties or disease

Quagmire

(n.): an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation

Razed

(v.): completely destroy

Stolid

(adj.): calm, dependable, and showing little emotion

Truculent

(adj.): eager or quick to argue or fight

Vacillate

(v.): to waver between different opinions or actions; indecisive

Bilk

(v.): to obtain money by deceit

Culmination

(n.): the climatic point of something

Debase

(v.): to reduce in quality

Forage

(v.): to search widely

Frugal

(adj.): sparing with food or money

Gregarious

(adj.): sociable

Innate

(adj.): inborn

Intimations

(n.): an indication

Judicious

(adj.): having, showing, or done with good judgement

Knell

(n.): the sound of a bell, run solemnly for a death

Laudatory

(adj.): expressing praise

Lithe

(adj.): thin and graceful

Maelstrom

(n.): turmoil

Mores

(n.): the characteristic customs of a community

Nadir

(n.): the lowest point in the fortunes of a person/organization

Pathos

(n.): a quality that evokes pity

Prudence

(n.): the ability to discipline oneself

Deftly

(adv.): skillful and quick in movement

Quelled

(v.): to put an end to a rebellion by force

Resolute

(adj.): determined

Rife

(adj.): full of

Scrupulous

(adj.): attentive to details

Swarthy

(adj.): dark-skinned

Haughty

(adj.): arrogantly superior

Turgid

(adj.): bombastic (in writing)

Venerate

(v.): to regard with great respect

Viscous

(adj.): thick and sticky consistency

Wanton

(adj.): sexually unrestrained

Yoked

(v.): to bind

Zealous

(adj.): showing great enthusiasm