Seminar unit 1-3

exhume

Dig out from the ground

unwonted

Unaccustomed or unusual

cavort

Jump or dance around excitedly

credence

Belief in or acceptance of something as true

decry

Publicly denounce or condemn

dissemble

Conceal one's true motives, feelings or beliefs

distraught

Deeply upset and agitated

eulogy

Piece of writing that praises someone/thing

evince

Reveal the presence of (feeling)

feckless

Lacking initiative or strength of character

murky

Dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist

nefarious

(action or activity) wicked or criminal

piquant

Having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavor

primordial

Existing at or from the beginning of time

propinquity

The state of being close to someone/thing

substantive

Having a firm basis in reality

utopian

Models on or aiming for a state in which everything is perfect

verbiage

Speech or writing that uses too many words/expressions

verdant

Green with grass or other rich vegetation

viscous

Having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid

Histrionic

overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style.

Incendiary

(of a device or attack) designed to cause fires.

Celerity

swiftness of movement.

Halcyon

denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.

Propriety

relating to an owner or ownership.

Sacrilege

violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred.

Summarily

in a summary manner; without the customary formalities.

Suppliant

a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority.

Talisman

an object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck.

Undulate

move or go with a smooth up-and-down motion.

Accost

approach and address (someone) boldly or aggressively.

Animadversion

criticism or censure.

Avid

having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something.

Brackish

(of water) slightly salty, as is the mixture of river water and seawater in estuaries.

Devious

showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.

Gambit

a device, action, or opening remark, typically one entailing a degree of risk, that is calculated to gain an advantage.

Maelstrom

a powerful whirlpool in the sea or a river.

Myopic

nearsighted.

Overt

done or shown openly; plainly or readily apparent, not secret or hidden.

Pejorative

expressing contempt or disapproval.

Germane

relevant to a subject under consideration.

Invidious

(of an action or situation) likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others.

Largesse

generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others.

Reconnaissance

military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertain strategic features.

Substantiate

provide evidence to support or prove the truth of.

Taciturn

(of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.

Temporize

avoid making a decision or committing oneself in order to gain time.

Arrogate

take or claim (something) without justification.

Banal

so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.

Belabor

argue or elaborate (a subject) in excessive detail.

Carping

continually complaining or finding fault about trivial matters; difficult to please.

Coherent

logical and consistent.

Congeal

solidify or coagulate, especially by cooling.

Emulate

match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation.

Encomium

a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly.

Insatiable

(of an appetite or desire) impossible to satisfy.

Intransigent

unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something.

Acquisitive

excessively interested in acquiring money or material things.

Eschew

deliberately avoid using; abstain from.

Tenable

able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.