English Vocab unit 2

accost

(v.) to approach and speak to first; to confront in a challenging or aggressive way

animadversion

(n.) a comment indicating strong criticism or disapproval

avid

(adj.) desirous of something to the point of greed; intensely eager

celerity

(n.) swiftness

devious

(adj.) straying or wandering from a straight or direct course; done or acting in a shifty or underhanded way

gambit

(n.) in chess

halcyon

(n.) a legendary bird identified with the kingfisher; (adj.) of or relating to the halcyon; calm

histrionic

(adj.) pertaining to actors and their techniques; theatrical

incendiary

(adj.) deliberately setting or causing fires; designed to start fires; tending to stir up strife or rebellion; (n.) one who deliberately sets fires

myopic

(adj.) nearsighted; lacking a broad

brackish

(adj.) having a salty taste and unpleasant to drink

pejorative

(adj.) tending to make worse; expressing disapproval or disparagement

overt

(adj.) open, not hidden, expressed or revealed in a way that is easily recognized

propriety

(n.) the state of being proper

maelstrom

(n.) a whirlpool of great size and violence; a situation resembling a whirlpool in violence and destruction

sacrilege

(n.) improper or disrespectful treatment of something held sacred

summarily

(adv.) without delay or formality; briefly

suppliant

(adj.) asking humbly and earnestly; (n.) one who makes a request humbly and earnestly

talisman

(n.) an object that serves as a charm or is believed to confer magical powers

undulate

(v.) to move in waves or with a wavelike motion; to have a wavelike appearance or form