vocabulary workshop level h unit 7

abeyance (n)

a state of being temporarily inactive, suspended, or set aside

ambivalent (adj)

having opposite & conflicting feelings about someone or something

beleaguer (v)

to set upon from all sides; surround with an army; to trouble, harass

carte blanche (n)

full authority to act at one’s own discretion

cataclysm (n)

a sudden violent upheaval; a surging flood

debauch (v) (n)

(v) to corrupt morally, to seduce

(n) an act of dissipation

éclat (n)

dazzling or conspicuous success or acclaim; great brilliance

fastidious (adj)

overly demanding or hard to please; excessively careful in regard to details; easily disgusted

gambol (v)

to jump or skip about playfully

imbue (v)

to soak or stain thoroughly, to fill the mind

inchoate (adj)

just beginning; not fully shaped or formed

lampoon (n) (v)

(n) a malicious satire

(v) to satirize or ridicule

malleable (adj)

capable of being formed into different shape; able to be altered or adapted

nemesis (n)

an agent or force inflicting vengeance or punishment; an unbeatable rival

opt (v)

to make a choice or decision

philistine (adj) (n)

(adj) lacking in, hostile to, or smugly indifferent to cultural and artistic values

(n) such a person

picaresque (adj)

involving or characteristic of clever rogues or adventures

queasy (adj)

nauseated or uneasy; causing nausea; troubled

refractory (adj)

stubborn; difficult to manage; not responsive to treatment or cure

savoir-faire (n)

the ability to say and do the right thing in any situation; social capability