Eng H; sem B vocab (all)

abberation

deviation from what is normal or expected

ameliorate

improve something that is unsatisfactory

brevity

concise and exact use of words

capitulate

cease to resist; surrender

caustic

critically and bitterly sarcastic

dearth

a scarcity or lack of something

didactic

intended primarily to teach

egregious

outstandingly bad

expedient

useful for effecting a desired result

heretic

a person whose beliefs are not generally effective

hindrance

an obstruction or snag

iconoclaust

someone who attacks established beliefs

incite

stimulate or prompt to action

listless

lacking energy or enthusiasm

meager

lacking in quantity or quality

preclude

prevent from happening; make impossible

rectify

make right; correct

substantiate

provide evidence to support or prove

usurp

take illegally or by force

whimsical

determined by chance or impulse

affinity

an attraction to or liking for something

aversion

a strong dislike

cognizant

knowledgeable or mindful of something

deferance

humble submission and respect

elusive

difficult to find, catch, or achieve

incorrigible

unruly; delinquent

lavish

generous and extravagant

rescind

take back, cancel

surmise

form an idea from little evidence

vacillate

waver between different opinions or actions

accolade

expression of praise; award

arduous

requiring strenuous effort

callous

insensitive and cruel

catharsis

release and relief from strong emotions

copious

abundant in supply or quantity

deprecate

express disapproval of

indict

formally charge with a serious crime

insurgent

a person who revolts against authority

ponderous

slow and clumsy because of great weight

tirade

a long, angry speech of criticism

aesthetic

a set of underlying, artistic principles

authoritarian

enforcing obedience over personal freedom

censure

expression of formal disapproval

conciliatory

intended to make someone less angry

dissonance

tension resulting from disharmonious elements

formidable

inspiring fear or respect through size of power

incessant

continuing without interruption; ceaseless

judicious

done with good sense

scrutinize

examine closely and throughly

unobstrusive

not noticeable; inconspicuous

amicable

having spirit of friendliness

articulate

clearly express an idea or feeling

cajole

persuade with coaxing or flattery

coalesce

come together to form one

commiserate

express sympathy or pity

decadence

excessive indulgence in pleasure or luxury

delineate

describe something precisely

disparage

regard as being of little worth

equivocal

having two or more possible meanings

indoctrinate

teach to accept a set of beliefs uncritically

complacent

showing uncritical satisfaction with oneself

maim

injure causing permanent damage

accord

an official agreement or treaty

impotent

helpless or powerless

derisive

expressing contempt or ridicule

buffet

to strike repeatedly

conspire

act in harmony toward a common ending

tribunal

a court of justice

activism

campaigning for political or social change

edifice

a large, imposing building

inertia

a tendency to remain unchanged

rationalize

cause something to seem reasonable

creed

set of fundamental beliefs

conviction

a firmly held belief or opinion

flagrant

conspicuously or obviously offensive

laudable

deserving praise and commendation

rancor

bitterness or resentfulness

elicit

evoke or draw out

satiate

completely satisfy

accost

approach in a challenging way

anomaly

a change from what is normal

appall

greatly dismay or horrify

astute

mentally sharp or clever

cordial

warm and friendly

meander

follow a winding course

intangible

not having physical presence

equivocate

having two or more possible meanings

effervescent

vivacious and enthusiastic

duplicity

deceitfulness; double-dealing

debilitate

reduce strength; weaken