unit 10-12

absolve

to clear from blame, responsibility, or guilt

abstemious

moderate, sparing (as in eating and drinking); characterized by abstinence and self-discipline or temperance inindulgence

accentuate

to emphasize, to place stress on

accrue

to grow or accumulate in the course of time; to happen as a natural result

annotation

the act of adding notes; a critical or explanatory note or comment, especially for a literary work

antediluvian

relating to or typical of ancient times; antiquated

bedlam

a state or scene of uproar and confusion

caricature

a representation (especially a drawing) in which the subject's characteristic features are deliberately exaggerated; to present someone or something in a deliberately distorted way

censure/censurable

harsh criticism, to rebuke; deserving of blame or correction

clangor

a loud ringing sound; to make a loud ringing sound

contiguous

an eager desire for something; extreme greed

contingent

likely but not certain to happen, possible; dependent on uncertain events or conditions; happening by chance; representative group forming part of a larger body

corroborate

to confirm, make more certain

covert

hidden, disguised, purposefully kept secret; sheltered, secluded; a sheltered place, a hiding place

debonair

sophisticated, pleasant, courteous, lighthearted; smooth and polished (as in manner and appearance)

deleterious

harmful, injurious

denizen

an inhabitant, resident; one who frequents a place

discursive

rambling; passing aimlessly from one place or subject to another; roving nomadic

disseminate

to scatter widely; to cause to become widely known

dowdy

poorly dressed; shabby; lacking smartness and good taste

dun

to demand insistently, especially payment of a debt; a creditor; a light gray-brown color; dark, dull, drab, dingy, blackish

efficacious

effective, producing results

enhance

to raise to a higher degree; to increase the value or desirability

enthrall

to captivate, to charm, to hold spellbound; to enslave; to imprison

equanimity

calmness, composure, refusal to panic, a steadiness in mind under stress

extenuate

to lessen the seriousness or magnitude of an offence by making partial excuses

exude

to ooze out; to discharge through the pores; to emanate (as a quality or a personal impression)

florid

highly colored, reddish; excessively ornate, overly decorated, showy

foist

to impose by fraud; to pass off as worthy or genuine; to bring in by stealth, dishonesty, or coercion

fortuitous

accidental, happening by chance; lucky

gauche

awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy

gist

the essential part, main point, or essence

gratuitous

freely given (as in a tip); not called for by circumstances, unwarranted

heresy

an opinion different from accepted belief; the denial of an idea that is generally held sacred; a belief that rejects the orthodox beliefs of a religion

imperious

overbearing, arrogant; seeking to dominate; pressing, compelling

implicit

implied or understood though unexpressed; without doubts or reservations; unquestioning; potentially contained in

Incisive

Sharp, keen, penetrating (with a suggestion of decisiveness and effectiveness); suitable for cutting or piercing

inculcate

to impress on the mind by repetition, teach persistently and earnestly

inimical

unfriendly, hostile; harmful, unfavorable

invective

a strong denunciation or condemnation; abusive language; abusive, vituperative

motley

showing great diversity or variety; composed of different elements or many colors; a multicolored woolen fabric; a jester's costume; a jester; a mixture of odd elements

munificent

extremely generous, lavish

Ostentatious

Marked by conspicuous or pretentious display, showy

palpable

capable of being touched or felt; easily seen, heard, or recognized

Paragon

A model of excellence or perfection

Paraphrase

To restate in other words; a statement that presents a given idea in new language

perceptive

having sympathy insight or understanding, capable of keen appreciation

pernicious

extremely harmful; deadly; fatal

Politic

Prudent, shrewdly conceived and developed; artful, expedient; agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication

Preeminent

Superior, outstanding; prominent, greatest in importance

procrastinate

to delay, put off until later

Prosaic

Dull, ordinary, lacking in distinction and originality; characteristic of prose, not poetic

provocative

tending to produce a strong feeling or response; irritating, annoying; arousing desire or appetite; something that provokes or stimulates

quail

to shrink back in fear, lose heart in a difficult or dangerous situation; a small game bird

recondite

difficult to understand; exceeding ordinary knowledge and understanding, profound, abstruse

Redundant

Extra, excess, more than is needed; wordy, repetitive; profuse, lush

reprobate

a scoundrel; a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person; wicked, corrupt, or unprincipled; to disapprove of; to condemn

salient

prominent, standing out, conspicuous; leaping, jumping, or springing forth; a projection or bulge; a land form that projects upward or outward

Sanctimonious

Making a show of virtue and righteousness; hypocritically moralistic or pious

satiate

to satisfy completely; to fill to excess; to overheat

Scintillating

Sparkling, twinkling, exceptionally brilliant or clever (applied to mental or personal qualities)

sear

to make or become dry and withered; to char or scorch the surface of; to harden or make unfeeling

sedentary

characterized by continued sitting; little activity; remaining in one place

specious

deceptive apparently good or valid but lacking real merit

Winsome

Charming, attractive, pleasing (often suggesting a childlike charm and innocence)