Vocab chapter 10

askance

with suspicion, distrust, disapproval

attentuate

to make thin or slender; to weaken or lessen in force

benign

gentle, kind; forgiving, understanding

cavil

to find fault in a petty way, carp

charlatan

one who feigns knowledge or ability

decimate

to kill or destroy a large part of

foible

a weak point, failing, minor flaw

forgo

to do without, abstain from, give up

fraught

full of or loaded with, accompanied by

inure

to toughen, harden

luminous

emitting or reflecting light; glowing; illuminating

obsequious

marked slavish attentiveness

obtuse

blunt, not coming to a point (90) (180)

oscillate

to swing back and forth with a steady rhythm

pentinent

regretful for one’s sin or mistakes

peremptory

having the nature of a command that leaves no oppurtunity for debate, denial, or refusal

rebuff

to snub, to repel, drive away

reconnoiter

make a prelimniary inspection

shambles

a slaughterhouse, a place of mass bloodshed

sporadic

ocurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order