gothic midterm vocab

abominate

to have an intense dislike or hatred for

amorphous

shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character

assuage

to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench

axiomatic

self-evident, expressing a universally accepted principle or rule

cadaverous

pale, gaunt, resembling a corpse

caveat

a warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior

contraband

(n.) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; (adj.) illegal, prohibited

crass

coarse; tasteless

ennui

boredom

exhort

to urge strongly

ferment

a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence

fractious

tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable

heinous

very wicked, offensive, hateful

insurgent

one who rebels or rises against authority

jaded

wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)

nominal

existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

permeate

to spread through, penetrate, soak through

precept

a rule of conduct or action

proclivity

a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)

redoubtable

inspiring fear or awe; illustrious, eminent

salutary

beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome

simulate

to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of

transient

(adj.) lasting only a short time, fleeting; (n.) one who stays only a short time

vapid

dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force

acriminous

angry and bitter

anomalous

abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual

aura

that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality

bovine

resembling a cow or ox; sluggish, unresponsive

cajole

to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises

Circtuitous

roundabout, not direct

contrive

to plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan

dissension

disagreement, sharp difference of opinion

epitome

a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality

expedite

to make easy, cause to progress faster

fetter

(n.) a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural); anything that confines or restrains; (v.) to chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent

grandiose

grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur, absurdly exaggerated

hiatus

a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)

inveigh

to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval

lassitude

weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

noncommittal

not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no

pillage

(v.) to rob of goods by open force (as in war), plunder; (n.) the act of looting; booty

precipitate

(v.) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height, to give distinct form to; (adj.) characterized by excessive haste; (n.) moisture; the product of an action or process

punctilious

very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of etiquette or propriety

restitution

the act of restoring someone or something to the rightful owner or to a former state or position; making good on a loss or damage

scourge

(v.) To whip, punish severely; (n.) A cause of affliction or suffering; a source of severe punishment or criticism

sleazy

thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or disreputable

tenuous

thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

umbrage

offense; resentment

wheedle

to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

affable

friendly

approbabtion

the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval

austere

severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance

brusque

abrupt, blunt, with no formalities

castigate

(v.) to punish severely; to criticize severely

coalition

a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

corpulent

(adj.) fat; having a large, bulky body

drivel

silly nonsense

erudite

(adj.) scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic

expurgate

(v.) to remove objectionable passages or words from a written text; to cleanse, purify

filch

to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty amounts

hackneyed

overused, cliched

infraction

a breaking of a law or obligationi

irrevocable

incapable of being changed or called back

lurid

(adj.) causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint

occult

(adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v.) to hide, conceal; eclipse; (n.) matters involving the supernatural

prate

to talk a great deal in a foolish or aimless fashion

prerogative

a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence

querulous

(adj.) peevish, complaining, fretful

reverberate

(v.) to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly

sedulous

(adj.) persistent, showing industry and determination

stalwart

(adj.) strong and sturdy; brave; resolute; (n.) a brave, strong person; a strong supporter; one who takes an uncompromising position

transgress

(v.) to go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law

unctuous

(adj.) Excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable