Vocab-Lesson 1, grade 11

altruistic

unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others, generous

ambivalent

having contrary feelings or attitudes, uncertain as to course of action

angular

lean; sharp cornered, gaunt

arrogant

overbearingly assuming; insolently proud

aversion

strong disinclination, disliking

discern

to differentiate between two or more things

disdain

intense dislike; to treat with scorn or contempt to reject as unworthy

disparage

to degrade, to speak of someone or something in a derogatory manner

disparity

inequality, the condition or fact of being unequal in age, rank, or degree

embellish

to decorate, to make beautiful with ornamentation

engender

to cause, to produce, to create

innocuous

harmless, producing no injury

insipid

boring and stupid

lament

to mourn or to express sorrow in a demonstrative manner

laud

to praise, to extol

obscure

difficult to see, vague

ostentatious

showy, pretentious

prodigal

wasteful, a person given to extravagance

repudiate

to reject, to disown, to disavow

reticence

restraint in speech, reluctance to speak

revere

to honor, to regard with respect

serene

calm, placid

subtle

delicate, elusive, not obvious

superfluous

beyond what is needed or required, an overflow

taciturn

quiet, not verbose