Semester 1 English II Vocabulary

astray

away from the correct path or direction

excursion

a short journey or trip, especially one engaged in as a leisure activity

ineradicable

unable to be destroyed or removed

oblige

make (someone) legally or morally bound to an action or course of action

bewilder

to confuse or puzzle completely; perplex

placid

pleasantly calm or peaceful; unruffled; serenely quiet or undisturbed

afflict

cause pain or suffering to; affect or trouble greatly or grievously

exalt

hold (someone or something) in very high regard; think or speak very highly of

hasten

be quick to do something

importunity

persistence, especially to the point of annoyance

tumultuous

making a loud, confused noise; uproarious

feign

pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury)

imperceptibly

in a way that is so slight, gradual, or subtle as not to be perceived

odious

extremely unpleasant; repulsive

proclivity

a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition toward a particular thing

hone

refine or perfect (something) over a period of time; sharpen (a blade)

insidious

proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects; treacherous; crafty

intuitive

using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning; instinctive

subside

become less intense, violent, or severe; lapse into silence or inactivity

incessantly

without interruption; constantly

status quo

the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues

warily

cautiously or carefully; in a way that shows a lack of trust; suspiciously

appalled

greatly dismayed or horrified

belligerently

hostile and aggressive

doggedly

having or showing tenacity and grim persistence

intolerant

narrow-minded about cherished opinions; unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion

meek

quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive

naive

(of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgement

petty

of little importance; trivial

sadism

deriving of pleasure from inflicting cruelty on others

subservient

prepared to obey others unquestioningly

superficial

trivial, shallow; existing only on the surface and showing little depth

imperiously

in a manner showing arrogant superiority

mollify

gain the good will of; make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else

precede

be earlier in time; go back further; be the predecessor of

derision

contemptuous ridicule or mockery

fawning

attempting to win favor by flattery

rapt

feeling great delight and interest

indignation

a feeling of righteous anger

belligerently

characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight

monotonous

sounded or spoken in a tone unvarying in pitch

jar

move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion