semester 2

claque

a group of people hired to applaud a performer or public speaker

copacetic

fine; in excellent order; okay

dichotomy

a division or contrast between 2 things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different

fetter

to restrict or restrain in an unfair or undesirable way

incontrovertible

not able to be denied or disputed

maudlin

self-pitying or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkness

myriad

a countless or extremely great number

obstreperous

noisy and difficult to control

pallid

pale, typically because of poor health

prodigal

spending money or resources freely and recklessly; tastefully extravagant

progeny

a descendant of a person, animal, plant; offspring

reprehensible

deserving censure or condemnation

stultify

cause to lose enthusiasm and initiative, especially as a result of tedious or restrictive routine

surmount

to overcome a difficult or obstacle

vex

to make someone feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried

adulation

excessive admiration or praise

adjudicate

make formal judgment or decision about a problem

ancillary

providing necessary support to the primary activities or operations of an organization or system

bravado

a bold manner intended to impress or intimidate

commensurate

in proportion

debunk

to expose falseness

diminutive

extremely or unusually small

factitious

artificially created

paragon

a person or thing reviewed as a model of excellence

preponderance

the quality or fact of being greater in number

torpid

mentally or physically inactive

unctuous

excessively smooth or smug

vapid

offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging

voluble

speaking or spoken incessantly and fluently

voluminous

big in volume

amenable

willing to agree or accept something

aspersion

an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something

atrophy

degeneration, decline, or decrease as from disuse

behoove

to be necessary, proper, or advantageous for

convivial

friendly, lively, and enjoyable atmosphere

culpable

deserving blame; guilty

deleterious

causing harm or damage

desiccated

dried out, dehydrated

duplicitous

deceitful, dishonest

fell

fierce, cruel, dreadful

meretricious

apparently attractive but having no real value or integrity

meritorious

deserving praise or rewarded

proselytize

to convert or attempt to convert someone from one religion, belief, or opinion to another

threadbare

very thin and tattered with age

visceral

relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect

antipathy

a strong feeling of dislike or hostility towards someone or something

complementary

combining in such a way that enhances or emphasizes each other’s qualities

deride

to express contempt for; ridicule

evanescent

fleeting; vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor

ingratiate

to bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them

purview

the range of operation, authority, control, concern, or understanding

raconteur

a person who is skilled in telling anecdotes or stories in an engaging way

repartee

conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies

supplicant

a person making a humble or earnest plea to someone in power or authority

talisman

an object that is thought to have magic power and to bring good luck

timorous

showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, lack of confidence.

torpor

a state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy.

variegated

exhibiting different colors, especially as irregular patches or streaks

verdant

green with grass or other rich vegetation; covered with green plants or grass

vitriolic

filled with bitter criticism or malice

apocryphal

of doubtful authenticity; although widely circulated as being true

boon

something beneficial or helpful; a favor or request

certitude

absolute certainty that something is the case

celerity

swiftness of movement or action; speed

derelict*

a person or property abandoned by society

feral

in a wild state; not domesticated; ferocious; brutal

pecuniary

relating to or consisting of money

pertinacious

holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action

polemic*

a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something

precocious

having developed abilities or inclinations at an earlier age than is usual

puerile

childishly silly and trivial

rapacious

aggressively greedy or grasping

surreptitious

kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of

veritable

being truly or very much so

volition

the power of using one’s will

anomaly

something that deviates from the normal

abstruse

difficult to understand

antediluvian

extremely old fashioned

charlatan

a fraud

elicit

to draw out or bring forth

impudent

disrespectful; rude

obtuse

annoying insensitive

peccadillo

a small relatively unimportant offense or sin

platitude

a statement that has been used too often

prattle

to talk a lot in a foolish way

quagmire

a soft baggy area; complex or hazardous situation

sacrosanct

too important to be interfered

termagant

harsh tempered or overbearing women

umbrage

offense or annoyance

verisimilitude

the appearance of being true or real

acrid

unpleasant taste or smell

assiduous

showing great care, attention, and effort

carping

difficult to please

delinquesce

to melt away or dissolve

efface

to erase or remove something

histrionic

overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style

homily

a religious discourse

menagerie

a collection of wild animals; zoo

negligent

failing to take proper care or something

paramount

supreme