English vocab 3

Abominate verb

To have an intense dislike or hatred for

Acculturation noun

1. The modification of the social patterns, traites, or structures of one group or society by contact with another

2. The resultant blend

Adventitious adj.

1. Resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause of character

2. Accidental, not essential 

3. (medicine) Acquired, not congenital

Ascribe verb

To assign or refer to (as a cause of source), attribute

Circuitous adj.

Roundabout, not direct

 Commiserate verb

To sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

Enjoin verb

1. To direct or order

2. To prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way

3. To prohibit

Expedite verb

1. To make easy

2. To cause to progress faster

Expiate verb

1. To make amends, make up for

2. To avert

Ferment noun

A state of great excitement agitation, or turbulence

Ferment verb

1. To be in or work into such a state

2. To produce something by chemical action

Inadvertent adj.

1. Resulting from or marked by lack of attention

2. Unintentional, accidental 

Nominal adj.

1. Existing in name only, not real

2. Too small to be considered or taken seriously

Noncommittal adj.

1. Not decisive or definite

2. Unwilling to take a clear position

Peculate verb

1. To steal something that has been given into one’s trust

2. To take improperly for one’s own use

Proclivity noun

1. A natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)

Sangfroid noun

Composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

Seditious adj.

1. Resistant to lawful authority

2. Having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

Tenuous adj.

1. Thin, slender, not dense

2. Lacking clarity or sharpness

3. Of slight importance

4. Lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

19. Vitriolic adj.

1. Bitter sarcastic

2. Highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

20.Wheedle verb

To use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end.

Affable adj.

1. Courteous and pleasant

2. Sociable, easy to speak to

Aggrandize verb

1. To increase in greatness, power or wealth

2. To build up or intensify

3. To make appear greater

Amorphous adj.

1. Shapeless, without definite form

2. Of no particular type or character

3. Without organization, unity, or cohesion

Archetype noun

1. An original model on which something was patterned or replicated

2. The ideal example of a particular type of person or thing

Aura noun

1. That which surrounds (as an atmosphere)

2. A distinctive air or personal quality

Contraband noun

Illegal traffic, smuggled goods

Contraband adj.

Illegal, prohibited

Erudite adj.

1. Scholarly, learned, bookish

2. Pedantic, or overly showy of knowledge*

Gossamer adj.

Thin, light, delicate, insubstantial

Gossamer noun.

A very thin, light cloth

Inscrutable adj.

1. Incapable of being understood

2. Impossible to see through physically

Insular adj.

1. Relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island

2. Narrow or isolated in outlook or experience

Irrevocable adj.

Incapable of being changed or called back.

Propensity noun

A natural inclination or predilection towards.

Querulous adj.

1. Peevish, complaining 

2. Fretful

 Remonstrate verb

1. To argue or plead with someone against something

2. To protest against, object to

Repudiate verb

To disown, reject, or deny the validity of.

Resilient adj.

1. Able to return to an original shape or form

2. Able to recover quickly

Reverberate verb

1. To re-echo, resound

2. To reflect or be reflected repeatedly    

Scurrilous adj.

1. Coarsely abusive

2. Vulgar or low (especially in language), foul-mouthed

Sedulous adj.

Persistent, showing industry and determination

Sleazy adj

1. Thin or flimsy in texture; cheap

2. Shoddy or inferior in quality or character

3. Ethically low, mean, or disreputable