sadier level g unit 10

askance

(adv.) with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval

attenuate

(v.) to make thin or slender; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity, or value

benign

(adj.) gentle, kind, not harmful; having a favorable or beneficial effect; not malignant

cavil

(v.) to find fault in a petty way; to raise trivial objections; (n.) a trivial objection

charlatan

(n.) one who feigns knowledge or ability; a pretender, impostor, quack

decimate

(v.) to kill or destroy a large part of

foible

(n.) a weak point; a minor flaw or failing in character; a slight defect

forgo

(v.) to do without; to abstain from; to give up

fraught

(adj.) full of or loaded with; accompanied by

inure

(v.) to accustom; to make used to something by long exposure or experience

luminous

(adj.) giving off light; glowing; illuminating; bright or clear

obsequious

(adj.) marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive, often for self-interest

obtuse

(adj.) blunt; not coming to a point; slow or dull in understanding

oscillate

(v.) to swing back and forth with a steady rhythm; to fluctuate or waver

penitent

(adj.) regretful for one’s sins or mistakes; (n.) one who is sorry for wrongdoing

peremptory

(adj.) having the nature of a command that leaves no opportunity for debate, denial, or refusal; offensively self-assured, dictatorial; determined, resolute

rebuff

(v.) to snub; to repel, drive away; (n.) a curt rejection, a check

reconnoiter

(v.) to engage in reconnaissance; to make a preliminary inspection

shambles

(n.) a slaughterhouse; a place of mass bloodshed; a state of complete disorder and confusion, mess

sporadic

(adj.) occurring at irregular intervals; having no set plan or order