Final Semester Vocab Review (Fall)

altruistic

generous; concerned for others

delineate

to describe with accuracy; detail

ensconce

to settle comfortable

laconic

using a minimum of words; concise

reverent

respectful

angular

lean, gaunt; sharp-cornered

denigrate

to belittle, to run down

fruition

state of realization or accomplishment

opulent

possessing great wealth

resplendent

brilliant, shining

aversion

contempt, intent dislike

insolent

overbearing, insulting, disrespectful

insuperable

not able to surmount; vanquish

proclivity

inclination, tendency

sardonic

scornful or derisive, mocking

deleterious

harmful, dangerous; injurious (to health body)

elucidate

to make clear; to explain

interloper

interferes in the affairs or rights of others

replete

filled to capacity, abundant

superflous

needless; overflowing; extra

antithesis

a direct opposite, a contrast

carnal

relating to crude bodily pleasures and appetites; marked by sexuality

gratis

free, without charge or recompense

opaque

not transparent, hard to understand

stratagem

a trick for obtaining advantage

assiduous

attentive, persistent

discourse

communication, oral/written

husband

to manage prudently

profundity

profound knowledge, depth

titter

to snicker or to giggle nervously

autonomous

independent; self-contained

defamation

ruining another's reputation

lurid

sensational, gruesome; causing shock

raconteur

one skilled at telling stories

toady

one who flatters in hopes of favors

bastion

a fortification, a stronghold

exacerbate

to aggravate, to irritate, to vex

malady

a disease or unwholesome condition

savory

morally correct, appetizing, pleasing

viable

capable of working, functioning, or living; feasible

abase

to degrade; to humiliate

barb

a critical or caustic remark

esteem

estimate of value; approval, respect

impudent

disrespectful, improper bold actions

pontificate

to speak in a self-important manner; to speak pompously

abet

to encourage or assist (usually criminal)

cavalier

armed horseman, a knight; treating matters lightly

fold

a group bound by common beliefs

lionize

to treat with importance, celebrity

rotund

very plump, round

abhor

to detest utterly; to loathe

dross

waste material

grotto

cave

maelstrom

a turbulent whirlpool

solvent

able to pay debts

abstemious

sparing, temperate

eclectic

coming from a variety of sources

hoary

white with age

narcissistic

excessively loving oneself

tantamount

equivalent in value, significance

aloof

apart, indifferent

chaste

morally pure

duplicity

double-dealing, hypocrisy

petulance

unreasonable touchiness, irritability

slothful

lazy, indolent

ascertain

to find out definitely, to determine

debilitate

to weaken, to enfeeble

egocentric

self-centered, selfish

partisan

one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasonable allegiance

tangible

capable of being touched

august

inspiring reverence or admiration

diatribe

bitter denunciation or criticism

gluttunous

greedy for food and drink

parochial

confined within the borders of a parish; limited in range or scope

undulant

rising and falling in waves

belie

to contradict, to give false impression

dissemination

the act of spreading widely

maverick

independent individual

ribald

vulgarly humorous, profane

veracity

devotion to the truth

adage

a wise saying

bucolic

rural, pastoral, unsophisticated

empathy

understanding or identification with another’s feelings or situation

haughty

arrogant, excessively proud, vain

kudos

awards or honors

adulation

extreme praise or admiration

calamity

event causing distress, misfortune

enunciate

to pronounce clearly

importune

to beg in earnest

limpid

clear, transparent, simple in style

amenable

willing to follow advice, malleable

castigate

to punish; to criticize with drastic severity

flourish

thrive, grow well; sweeping gesture

incipient

come into being; the early stage

malice

desire to harm others

ancillary

aiding or accessory supplementary

dulcet

pleasing to the ear, melodious

intractable

stubborn, difficult to manage

jingoist

an extreme patriot

oblique

slanting, indirect, misleading