Week 3 Vocab

aberration (n)

a variation or change from what is normal or right; something unnatural

aghast (adj)

shocked; terrified or amazed

appellation (n)

a name or title; a word used to identify a person or thing

bewilder (v)

to perplex or confused; to disorder a person’s thinking

chattel (n)

a thing that is owned; a possession

contemptuous (adj)

thinking poorly of; scornful or disdainful

debonair (adj)

charming; having a sophisticated and attractive manner

detest (v)

to have a profound dislike or abhorrence for; to hate

elasticity (n)

the physical property of matter wherein matter returns to its original form after being reshaped, as

an elastic band returns to its original shape after being stretched

fickle (adj)

capriciously changeable in affection or belief; not remaining faithful to one idea or feeling

hindrance (n)

an obstruction or impediment; something that blocks progress

inconceivable (adj)

unimaginable or unthinkable

litigious (adj)

willing and likely to pursue a lawsuit

minimize (v)

to make as small as possible

notorious (adj)

widely known but viewed negatively or critically

ordeal (n)

an experience that is extremely difficult or trying

ostracize (v)

to banish from or force out of a group or situation

peccadillo (n)

a minor sin or fault; a trifling wrongdoing

placid (adj)

tranquil and calm; at rest

prosaic (adj)

matter-of-fact; without spirit, style, or imagination

rectitude (n)

correctness or uprightness; unerring in following principles

salient (adj)

noticeable or important; standing out

spurious (adj)

inauthentic; not bona fide

tincture (n)

a typically alcoholic mixture containing a medicine or remedy

vigilance (n)

alertness; unbreaking attention to a duty