Vocabulary 10.1.4

Abase

to degrade, to humiliate

Abdicate

to renounce or to give up a power

Brazen

shameless, insolent, disrespectful

Caustic

sarcastically biting, acrid

Commiserate

to express sympathy or pity

Decorum

appropriate conduct; correct and proper behavior

Deference

courteous going along with the opinions or wishes of

Drone

speaking in a monotonous tone; a continuous low humming sound

Enunciate

to pronounce clearly

Girth

size or dimensions (usually the measure around a body)

Grandiose

impressive, imposing

Inception

the beginning of something

Ineffable

incapable of being expressed in speech or words

Nebulous

lacking clarity of features or sharpness of

Neophyte

a recent convert, beginner, novice

Obtuse

dull of mind, insensitive, stupid

Parable

a short fictitious story that has a moral

Rant

to rave, to speak, in a loud and attacking manner

Reproach

to blame for something; a disgrace

Savant

a scholar, a learned person

Stultifying

causing to be useless, crippling, causing to appear stupid

Syllabus

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

Troupe

a company or group—usually theatrical performers

Unequivocal

without a doubt, clear

Vapid

dull, inane, insipid