Grade 12 Vocabulary Unit #7

acclamation

(n.) a shout of welcome; an overwhelming verbal vote of approval

bucolic

(adj.) characteristic of the countryside, rural; relating to shepherds and cowherds, pastoral

calumniate

(v.) to slander; to accuse falsely and maliciously

chary

(adj.) extremely cautious, hesitant, or slow (to); reserved, diffident

collusion

(n.) secret agreement or cooperation

dilettante

(n.) a dabbler in the arts; one who engages in an activity in an amateurish, trifling way; (adj.) superficial

imperturbable

(adj.) not easily excited; emotionally steady

increment

(n.) an enlargement, increase, addition

mandate

(n.) an authoritative command, formal order, authorization; (v.) to issue such an order

paltry

(adj.) trifling, insignificant; mean, despicable; inferior, trashy

paroxysym

(n.) a sudden outburst; a spasm, convulsion

pedantry

(n.) a pretentious display of knowledge; overly rigid attention to rules and details

peregrination

(n.) the act of traveling; an excursion, especially on foot or to a foreign country

redolent

(adj.) fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arouse memories or create an aura

refulgent

(adj.) shining, radiant, resplendent

shibboleth

(n.) a word, expression, or custom that distinguishes a particular group of persons from all others; a commonplace saying or truism

tyro

(n.) a beginner, novice; one with little or no background or skill

unremitting

(adj.) not stopping, maintained steadily, never letting up, relentless

vacillate

(v.) to swing indecisively from one idea or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind or will

vituperative

(adj.) harshly abusive, severely scolding