Vocabulary Lessons 1-5

alienate

to turn away feelings or affections

elated

in high spirits; exultantly proud and joyful

epigram

a witty saying expressing a single thought or observation

fatalistic

believing that all events in life are inevitable and determined by fate

lackadaisical

uninterested; listless

licentious

morally unrestrained

numismatist

a coin collector

obtrude

to force oneself into a situation

paucity

a scarcity; a lack

pensive

dreamily thoughtful

amalgamate

to combine

antiquated

no longer used or useful; very old

beleaguer

to besiege by encircling (as with an army); to harass

caricature

an exaggerated portrayal of one's features

dally

to waste time; to dawdle

demented

mentally ill; insane

felonious

pertaining to or constituting a major crime

gorge

to eat or swallow greedily

hone

to sharpen

opiate

a narcotic used to cause sleep or bring relief from pain

ambidextrous

equally skillful with either hand

animate

to give life or motion to

belated

delayed

berserk

in a state of violent or destructive rage

chauvinist

one having a fanatical devotion to a country, gender, or religion, and displaying contempt for other countries, the opposite sex, or other beliefs

delude

to mislead; to fool

edifice

a large, elaborate structure; an imposing building

egalitarian

promoting equal rights for all people

knead

to work dough or clay into a uniform mixture

ostentatious

marked by a conspicuous, showy, or pretentious display

blight

anything that destroys, prevents growth, or causes devaluation

denizen

an occupant; inhabitant

elude

to escape notice; to get away from

entice

to attract by offering reward or pleasure

fallow

inactive; unproductive

fealty

obligated loyalty or faithfulness

gambit

a maneuver or action used to gain an advantage

gratify

to please

laggard

a slow person, especially one who falls behind

obsequy

a funeral rite or ceremony

advocate

to recommend; to speak in favor of

bandy

to exchange words; to discuss casually

charisma

personal appeal or attraction; magnetism

dastardly

cowardly and treacherous

efface

to obliterate; to wipe out

entity

anything having existence, either physical or mystical

gist

the main point

jaded

worn out; dulled, as from overindulgence

mesmerize

to hypnotize

ogre

a brute; a large monster; a frightful giant