Vocabulary Unit 4

Vocab Unit 4 Eng II Honors

Carnage

Great destruction of life.

Carnal

Having to do with bodily pleasures.

Incarnation

A particular physical form or version or something.

Credence

Mental acceptance of something as true or real; often used in reference to reports, rumors, and opinions.

Credulity

Readiness and willingness to believe on the basis of little evidence (naïve, gullible).

Incredulous

unbelieving (a person’s response), skeptical; unwilling to believe what is offered as true.

Cursory

Hastily and often carelessly done; implies speed, stresses lack attention to detail.

Discursive

Passing from one topic to another; a rambling writing style.

Diffident

1. Lacking confidence; timid. 2. Cautious or unassertive.

Fiduciary

Held in trust for another; having to do with confidence or faith.

Perfidy

Faithlessness, disloyalty, or treachery.

Deflect

To turn aside, especially from a straight or fixed course. Often used metaphorically.

Inflection

A change in pitch, tone, or loudness of voice.

Panacea

A sort of mythical remedy for all ills or difficulties; A single, often simple solution to complex, widespread problems.

Panegyric

A formal speech or statement giving high praise.

Panoply

A magnificent or splendid array of objects.

Expedient

Suitable for bringing about a desired result, often without regard for what is fair and right.

Impediment

Something that interferes with movement or progress; suggests obstruction.

Expedite

To speed up the process or progress of.

Posthumous

Refers to writings published after the author’s death.

Contentious

1. Quarrelsome; tending to pick fights; 2. Likely to cause an argument.

Distend

To swell or become expanded.

Portend

1. To give a sign or warning beforehand. 2. To indicate or signify, foretell or predict.

Omnivorous

Feeding on both plants and animals.

Voracious

1. Having a huge appetite in excess of what is reasonable. 2. Very eager

Procrustean

Ruthlessly disregarding individual differences or special circumstances. Alludes to Procrustes, a bandit who was slain by Theseus.

Siren

A woman who tempts a man with bewitching sweetness, leading to the man’s destruction.