Vocab Level H Set 1

adjunct

an assistant or helper, subordinate, not necessary

bellwether

a leader in a desperate or violent undertaking, the male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse

caterwaul

to howl or screech, a harsh or noisy cry

chimerical

absurd, impossible

effete

worn out or exhausted, sterile, out of date

fait accompli

an irreversible accomplishment

hidebound

narrow minded and rigid, stubbornly conservative

hierarchy

any system of things or people arranged one above another

liturgy

a ritual or other act of public worship

mirage

something without basis in reality, an illusion

morass

a patch of low wet ground, a swamp; a confusing situation in which one is trapped

noisome

offensive or disgusting

oblivious

forgetful, unaware

poltroon

a base coward

proselyte

a convert, a disciple

quasi

resembling but not actually being, seemingly but not actually or completely

raillery

teasing, good humored ridicule

supine

lying flat on one’s back; lethargic; apathetic

ribald

mocking, course, vulgar, or indecent in language

vignette

a short description or sketch; a picture with edges that gradually shade off, a decorative design at the beginning of a book or chapter