Vocab Units 9-12

Anthropomorphism (n)

The representation of objects/animals as having human

Contravene (v)

To go against or act contrary to; to violate

Cursory (adj)

Going rapidly over something without much concern/attention

Deferential (adj)

Respectful or courteous

Dilatory (adj)

Tending to delay or procrastinate

Dour (adj)

Severe or very strict; Gloomy or sullen

Efficacy (n)

Power or capacity to produce a desired effect; effectiveness

Ephemeral (adj)

Lasting a short time; brief or temporary

Expound (v)

To elaborate or explain in detail

Grandiloquent (adj)

Extravagant and fanciful in language, style, etc.

Indoctrinate (v)

To instruct in a set of principles or beliefs

Iminical (adj)

Harmful or detrimental

Magnate (n)

A highly influential and high

Probity (n)

Integrity and honesty

Soporific (adj)

Causing sleep or drowsiness

Abstemious (adj)

Sparing or moderate in eating or drinking

Adjure (v)

To command or advise, often under oath or with threat of penalty

Copious (adj)

Present in large quantities

Fatuous (adj)

Foolish or idiotic

Indelible (adj)

Unable to be removed, washed away, or erased

Maltreat (v)

To treat roughly or unkindly

Nefarious (adj)

Extremely evil; sinister

Nonentity (n)

A person or thing of little significance

Pendulous (adj)

Suspended and hanging downward

Persiflage (n)

Playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks or mockery

Retrench (v)

To reduce or diminish in extent or quantity (costs, poverty, etc)

Sapient (adj)

Wise; prudent

Sardonic (adj)

Scornfully mocking or cynical

Timorous (adj)

Fearful or timid

Vivify (v)

To give life to; to enliven

Abase (v)

To humiliate or degrade

Blandish (v)

To persuade with flattery or compliments

Cacophony (n)

A harsh, disharmonious sound

Defunct (adj)

No longer used or in existence

Draconion (adj)

Excessively harsh and severe (describing laws, rules, and punishments)

Fetid (adj)

Having a foul, offensive odor

Immutable (adj)

Unchangeable

Impecunious (adj)

Poor or destitute

Palliate (v)

To make it less severe

Paucity (n)

A small quantity or shortage

Quixotic (adj)

Unrealistic and impractical

Recapitulate (v)

To review or summarize

Temerity (n)

Bold recklessness or audacity

Truculent (adj)

Aggressively defiant and argumentative (describing an individual’s demeanor/behavior)

Vacuous (adj)

Having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence

Accede (v)

To agree

Acumen (n)

Sharp, keen insight or perception (the ability to understand or figure things out easily)

Apocryphal (adj)

Fictitious or false

Denigrate (v)

To attack or criticize someone’s reputation unfairly; to belittle or deny the importance of something (or someone)

Emollient (adj)

Soothing and relaxing

Forbearance (n)

Patience and tolerance

Inviolable (adj)

Completely secure or incapable of being violated

Manifold (adj)

Many or several different types

Penurious (adj)

Extremely stingy or greedy (not generous or giving at all)

Phlegmatic (adj)

Unemotional or not easily excited; appearing to be uninterested

Promulgate (v)

To proclaim or make known

Recalcitrant (adj)

Resisting authority or control; defiant

Solipsistic (adj)

Believing that oneself is all that exists; extremely self-centered

Turpitude (n)

Depravity/evilness or moral corruption

Winsome (adj)

Charming and pleasing