Units 1-11 Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop

A streamlined list of 110 vocabulary words from Units 1-11, including definitions and parts of speech, intended as a study aid for the cumulative test.

aberration (n)

deviation from normal

abeyance (n)

temporary suspension

abortive (adj)

unsuccessful; failed

acumen (n)

sharp judgment

adjunct (n)

something added

aegis (n)

protection, patronage, sponsorship; auspices

affinity (n)

natural attraction

ambivalent (adj)

having mixed feelings

anachronism (n)

something out of place in time

ancillary (adj)

supporting; secondary

apocryphal (adj)

of doubtful truth

apostate (n)

one who abandons beliefs

apprise (v)

inform; notify

apropos (adj)

appropriate to the situation

bane (n)

cause of harm

bellwether (n)

leader or indicator

bibulous (adj)

overly fond of alcohol

cantankerous (adj)

bad-tempered

casuistry (n)

tricky reasoning

caterwaul (v)

harsh cry or howl

chimerical (adj)

unrealistic; imaginary

claque (n)

group of flatterers

cognate (adj)

related by origin

commensurate (adj)

equal in measure

consensus (n)

general agreement

contumelious (adj)

insulting; rude

corollary (n)

natural consequence

debauch (v)

corrupt morally

debilitate (v)

weaken

diaphanous (adj)

sheer; transparent

effete (adj)

weak; worn out; no longer effective

emolument (n)

salary or profit

enclave (n)

enclosed group or area

ensconce (v)

settle comfortably

fastidious (adj)

hard to please

fervid (adj)

intensely passionate

flamboyant (adj)

showy; colorful

folderol (n)

foolish nonsense

foray (n)

sudden attack or attempt

forte (n)

strong point

fulsome (adj)

excessive or exaggerated

gambol (v)

skip or leap playfully

gamut (n)

complete range

harbinger (n)

sign of something coming

hidebound (adj)

narrow-minded

iconoclastic (adj)

attacking traditions

imbue (v)

to soak or stain thoroughly; to inspire

immolate (v)

sacrifice by burning; destroy or renounce

immure (v)

imprison; confine

imperceptible (adj)

impossible to notice

inchoate (adj)

not fully formed; developing

ineffable (adj)

impossible to express

insouciant (adj)

carefree; unconcerned

internecine (adj)

destructive within a group

inveigle (v)

persuade deceitfully

lachrymose (adj)

tearful; mournful

lackey (n)

servile follower

laissez-faire (n)

noninterference policy

lampoon (v)

ridicule publicly

liaison (n)

means of communication among groups; a contact person

liturgy (n)

religious ritual

lugubrious (adj)

gloomy; mournful

malleable (adj)

easily shaped

matrix (n)

surrounding situation or environment; a mold

maudlin (adj)

overly sentimental, mushy

melee (n)

noisy fight

mellifluous (adj)

sweet-sounding

metamorphosis (n)

complete change

modulate (v)

adjust or regulate

monolithic (adj)

massive; uniform

morass (n)

confusing situation or swamp

noisome (adj)

foul-smelling; harmful

non sequitur (n)

illogical statement

obfuscate (v)

make unclear

obsequies (n)

funeral rites

pander (v)

cater to bad desires

parameter (n)

limit or guideline

parlous (adj)

dangerous; risky

patrician (adj or n)

aristocratic or an aristocrat- something that is characteristic of high birth

persiflage (n)

light, teasing talk

philistine (n)

uncultured person

portentous (adj)

giving warning

pragmatic (adj)

practical

prescience (n)

foreknowledge

prolix (adj)

wordy

propitiate (v)

appease

punctilio (n)

fine point of conduct

purview (n)

area of responsibility

quagmire (n)

difficult situation; a bog

quid pro quo (n)

exchange of favors

quixotic (adj)

unrealistic and overly idealistic but noble

quizzical (adj)

puzzled; questioning

raconteur (n)

skilled storyteller

rapacity (n)

greed

raillery (n)

good-natured teasing

refractory (adj)

stubborn; unmanageable

remand (v)

send back, usually to prison

ribald (adj)

vulgar or indecent

sacrosanct (adj)

sacred; untouchable

salubrious (adj)

healthful