unit 7 vocab words

holocaust

holocaust

(n) : destruction or slaughter on a mass scale, especially caused by fire or nuclear war

effusive

(adj) : expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner

lament

(v) : to mourn (a person’s loss or death)

gape

(v) : to be or become wide open

catalyst

(n) : a person or thing that precipitates or causes an event

benediction

(n) : the utterance or bestowing of a blessing, especially at the end of a religious service

frivolous

(adj) : not having any serious purpose or value

impel

(v) : drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something

epitaph

(n) : a phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone

embroil

(v) : involve (someone) deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation

defunct

(adj) : no longer existing or functioning

impertinent

(adj) : not showing proper respect; rude

jargon

alacrity(n) : special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand

alacrity

(n) : brisk and cheerful readiness

harp

(v) : talk or write persistently and tediously on (a particular topic)

anachronism

(n) : a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned

lackey

(n) : a servant, especially a liveried footman or manservant

haughty

(adj) : arrogantly superior and disdainful

judicious

(adj) : having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense

deify

(v) : worship, regard, or treat (someone or something) as a god

lateral

(adj) : of, at, toward, or from the side or sides

denigrate

(v) : criticize unfairly; disparage

envisage

(v) : form a mental picture of (something not yet existing or known)

nemesis

(n) : a long-standing rival; an archenemy; the agent of someone's or something's downfall

foible

(n) : a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character

carnage

(n) : the killing of a large number of people

humane

(adj) : having or showing compassion or benevolence

lethal

(adj) : sufficient to cause death; deadly

impetuous

(adj) : acting or done quickly and without thought or care