SC Vocab

venerable

respected and honored due to age, wisdom, or character

progenitor

a direct ancestor or originator of a line of descent

nonentity

a person or thing of no importance or significance

voluminous

having a large volume or fullness; bulky or extensive

tempestuous

characterized by strong and turbulent emotions or behavior; stormy

evanescent

tending to vanish or fade away quickly; transient or fleeting

besom

a broom made of twigs tied together

indolent

lazy or disinclined to work; lethargic or idle

polemical

relating to or involving strongly critical or controversial writing or speech

emoluments

financial benefits or compensation received in exchange for work or services

vicissitude

a change or variation in circumstances or fortune, typically unwelcome or unexpected

esoteric

intended for or understood by only a select few who have specialized knowledge or interest

sepulcher

a burial vault or tomb

heterodox

holding unorthodox or unconventional beliefs or opinions

deportment

a person's behavior or manners

iniquity

immoral or unfair behavior; wickedness or sin

Utopia

an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect

infamy

the state of being well-known for a bad quality or deed; notoriety

countenance

a person's face or facial expression

tremulous

shaking or quivering slightly; timid or nervous

edifice

a large, imposing building or structure

autumnal

relating to or characteristic of autumn

phantasmagoric

having a fantastic or dreamlike appearance; surreal

physiognomy

a person's facial features or expression, especially when regarded as indicative of character or ethnic origin

ignominy

public shame or disgrace

visage

a person's facial expression or appearance

sagamores

a Native American chief or leader

ascetic

characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence, typically for religious reasons

contumacious

stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority

peremptory

insisting on immediate attention or obedience; authoritative

penitence

the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance

amenable

open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled

paramour

a lover, especially one who is not married to the person they are involved with

reviled

subjected to verbal abuse or condemnation; criticized harshly

caprice

a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior; whim

vivify

to give life or energy to; animate

exhortation

an address or communication strongly urging someone to do something

anathema

something or someone that is intensely disliked or loathed; a curse or ban

ludicrous

causing laughter because of absurdity; ridiculous

cabalistic

relating to or associated with secret knowledge or mysterious rituals

expatiating

speaking or writing at length or in detail

importunate

persistent or demanding in solicitation; insistent

intrinsic

belonging naturally; essential

leech

a bloodsucking worm-like aquatic creature; a person who extorts or takes advantage of others

mountebank

a person who deceives others, especially in order to trick them out of their money; a charlatan

sagacity

having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wisdom

imperious

assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering

panoply

a complete or impressive collection of things; a splendid display

vindicate

to clear someone of blame or suspicion; to justify or prove the validity of something

diabolical

extremely wicked or cruel; devilish

dauntless

showing fearlessness and determination; courageous

eldritch

eerie or strange; otherworldly

chirurgical

relating to or performed by surgery

askance

with suspicion, disapproval, or distrust

vestment

a ceremonial robe or gown, especially worn by clergy or officials

impalpable

unable to be felt by touch; intangible

decorous

characterized by proper behavior or conduct; socially acceptable

eccentricities

unconventional or peculiar behavior or actions

etherealized

made or transformed into something delicate or heavenly

somnambulism

the act of sleepwalking

impute

to attribute or ascribe something to someone

palliate

to make a disease or suffering less severe or intense; to alleviate or mitigate

imbued

to inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality

inextricable

impossible to disentangle or separate; inescapable

malevolence

the state or condition of having ill will or malicious intentions; hostility

somniferous

causing or inducing sleep

infirmity

physical or mental weakness or illness

expiation

the act of making amends or reparation for wrongdoing or guilt

erudite

having or showing great knowledge or learning

prolix

using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy

augured

predicted or foreshadowed something

efficacy

the ability to produce a desired or intended result; effectiveness

emoluments

financial benefits or compensation received in exchange for work or services

preternatural

beyond what is normal or natural; extraordinary

inauspicious

not conducive to success; unfavorable

imbibed

to drink or absorb something, usually referring to liquids or knowledge

ascetic

characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence, typically for religious reasons

plebeian

of or belonging to the common people; lacking sophistication or refinement

abased

to lower in rank, prestige, or dignity; to humble or degrade

speculation

the act of contemplation or conjecture; engaging in risky or uncertain ventures

retribution

punishment inflicted as vengeance or retaliation for a wrong or criminal act

petulant

childishly sulky or bad-tempered; irritable

pristine

in its original condition; unspoiled or untouched

stigmatized

characterized or branded as disgraceful or socially unacceptable

sedulous

showing dedication and diligence; hardworking or persistent

asperity

harshness or severity, especially in tone or manner

despots

rulers or leaders who exercise absolute power and often oppress or tyrannize their subjects

obviated

to remove or avoid something; to prevent or eliminate

deleterious

causing harm or damage; detrimental

propensity

a natural inclination or tendency towards something

acquiescing

accepting or complying passively or reluctantly; yielding

nuptial

relating to marriage or weddings

scrofula

a disease characterized by swelling of the lymph nodes, especially in the neck, caused by tuberculosis

contiguity

the state of being in direct contact or proximity to something

denizens

inhabitants or residents of a particular place

loquacity

the quality of being talkative or chatty

malignity

intense ill will or hatred; malevolence

choleric

easily angered or irritable; hot-tempered

atheist

a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods

trammeled

restricted or confined; limited in freedom or action