Vocab

Vocabulary Builder

Apathy (n)

A lack of interest or enthusiasm. Apathetic (adj).

Proselytise (vb)

An attempt to convert (someone). Proselyte (n) - a recent convert.

Zealous (adj)

Extremely eager or enthusiastic.

Stifle (vb)

To stop something from continuing.

Paragon (n)

A model of perfection.

Friction (n)

Resistance when rubbing one object against another. Disagreement / Conflict. Trade frictions.

Blithe (adj)

Very happy and cheerful. Blithely (adv)

Mantle (n)

The responsibilities and duties which go with a particular job or position. Eg. The Mantle of leader.

Wistful (adj)

Sadly wishing for something lost or unobtainable.

Nefarious (adj)

Evil, wicked.

Celestial (adj)

Heavenly or divine.

Steely (adj)

Preparing for coping with something unpleasant.

Bureau (n)

An office or agency, especially one providing services for the public. US - a Government department.

Sovereignty (n)

The political power a nation has to govern itself.

Subsidiary (n/adj)

A company which is at least half owned by another company (Eg Instagram is a subsidiary of Meta) / A person or thing that is of lesser importance (Eg profit was a subsidiary concern compared with safety).

Asunder (advb)

Into parts or pieces; apart

Amenable (adj)

Likely or willing to cooperate

Siege (n)

A military operation carried out to capture a place by surrounding and blockading it. Or a similar operation carried out by police, for example to force people out of a place

Moribund (adj)

Near death, or no longer performing effectively or usefully

Insurgent (n/adj)

A person who rebels against an established authority, especially a government / rebellious or in revolt against an established authority

Genus (n)

One of the groups into which a family is divided, containing one or more species OR a class or group

Courting (vb)

To attempt to gain the love of OR to pay attention to in order to gain favour

Ebullient (adj)

Full of enthusiasm or excitement

Stark (adj)

Harsh, unpleasant, and plain

Abound (vb)

To exist in large numbers

Dialectic (n)

Logical debate by question and answer to resolve differences between two views OR the art of logical argument. Dialectical (adj)

Piston (n)

A cylindrical part that slides to and fro in a hollow cylinder : in an engine it is attached by a rod to other parts; thus its movement causes the other parts to move.

Sully (vb)

To ruin (someone’s reputation)

Licentious (adj)

Sexually unrestrained or promiscuous. Licentiousness (n)

Bungle (vb)

To spoil (an operation) through clumsiness or incompetence OR a clumsy or unsuccessful performance (the latter - n)

Bind (n)

(informal) A difficult or annoying situation. More commonly it means - to tie, fasten, secure, or constrain (vb)

Inimical (adj)

Adverse or unfavourable

Idolatry (n)

The worship of idols or excessive devotion or admiration. Idolatrous (adj)