Unit 7 Definitions

allay

(v) to calm or pacify, set to rest; to lessen or relieve

bestial

(adj) beastlike; beastly, brutal; subhuman in intelligence and sensibility

convivial

(adj) festive, sociable, having fun together, genial

coterie

(n) a circle of acquaintances; a close-knit, often exclusive group of people with a common interest

counterpart

(n) a person or thing closely resembling or corresponding to another; a complement

demur

(v) to object or take exception to; (n) an objection

effrontery

(n) shameless boldness, impudence

embellish

(v) to decorate, adorn, touch up; to improve by adding details

ephemeral

(adj) lasting only a short time, short-lived

felicitous

(adj) appropriate, apt, well-chosen; marked by well-being or good fortune, happen

furtive

(adj) done slyly or stealthily, sneaky, secret, shifty; stolen

garnish

(adj) glaring; tastelessly showy or overdecorated in a vulgar or offensive way

illusory

(adj) misleading, deceptive; lacking in or not based on reality

indigent

(adj) needy, impoverished

inordinate

(adj) far too great, exceeding reasonable limits, excessive

jettison

(v) to cast overboard, get rid of as unnecessary or burdensome

misanthrope

(n) a person who hates or despises people

pertinacious

(adj) very persistent; holding firmly to a course of action or a set of beliefs; hard to get rid of, refusing to be put off denied

picayune

(adj) of little value or importance, paltry, measly; concerned with trifling matters, small-minded

raiment

(n) clothing, garments