HE2 - U13 Vocabulary - Grant

abet

(v.) to encourage, assist, aid, support (especially in something wrong or unworthy)

aver

(v.) to affirm, declare confidently

blatant

(adj.) noisy in a coarse, offensive way; obvious or conspicuous, especially in an unfavorable sense

broach

(v.) to bring up or begin to talk about (a subject); to announce, introduce; to break the surface of the water; to turn sideways to the wind and waves; to pierce (a keg or cask) in order to draw off liquid; (n.) a spit for roasting; a tool for tapping casks

buttress

(v.) to support, prop up, strengthen; (n.) a supporting structure

carousel

(n,) noisy revelry or merrymaking

collate

(v.) to compare critically in order to note differences, similarities, etc; to arrange in order for some specific purpose

connoisseur

(n.) an expert; one who is well qualified to pass critical judgements, especially in one of the fine arts

disconsolate

(adj.) deeply unhappy or dejected; without hope, beyond consolation

encumber

(v.) to weigh down or burden (with difficulties, cares, debt, etc); to fill up, block up, hinder

foment

(v.) to promote trouble or rebellion; to apply warm liquids to, warm

grisly

(adj.) frightful, horrible, ghastly

herculean

(adj.) (capital H) relating to Hercules; (lowercase h) characterized by great strength; very hard to do in the sense of requiring unusual strength

impassive

(adj.) showing no feeling or emotion; inanimate; motionless

inauspicious

(adj.) unfavorable, unlucky, suggesting bad luck for the future

incontrovertible

(adj.) unquestionable, beyond dispute

nonplussed

(adj., part.) puzzled, not knowing what to do, at a loss

opportune

(adj.) suitable or convenient for a particular purpose; occurring at an appropriate time

prolific

(adj.) abundantly productive; abundant, profuse

rejoinder

(n.) a reply to a reply, especially from the defendant in a legal suit