Vocabulary and Spelling 4th Quarter

AY 2025-2026

wraith

(n.) A ghostlike figure or apparition, often

associated with death or the supernatural

viscount

(n.) A noble title in the British peerage ranking

below an earl and above a baron

Pharaoh

(n.) A ruler or king of ancient Egypt

minutiae

(n.) Small, precise, or trivial details often overlooked but important

desiccated

(adj.) Completely dried out; lacking moisture

acquiesce

(v.) To accept or agree to something

reluctantly but without protest

Worcestershire

(n.) A county in England; also the name of a

savory sauce

Sioux

(n.) A Native American people of North

America

segue

(v.) To move smoothly from one topic, activity,

or section to another

Otorhinolaryngologist

(n.) A medical doctor specializing in ear, nose,

and throat disorders

hors d'oeuvre

(n.) A small appetizer served before a meal

gauge

(v.n.) To measure, estimate, or determine the

extent of something

bourgeois

(n./adj.) Relating to the middle class or materialistic

values

anemone

(n.) A sea creature with tentacles or a type of

flowering plant

rendezvous

(n./v.) A meeting arranged at a specific time and

place

victuals

(n.) Food or provisions prepared for

consumption

isthmus

(n.) A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas

euphemism

(n.) A mild or indirect word used to replace

one that may be harsh or unpleasant

quay

(n.) A structure along the shore where ships

dock for loading and unloading

Chthonic

(adj.) Relating to the underworld or

subterranean regions in mythology

credulity

(n.) A tendency to believe things too readily

without sufficient evidence or skepticism

attenuate

(v.) To weaken, reduce, or diminish the

intensity or force of something

mantle

(n.) A covering layer; in geology, the layer

beneath the Earth's crust; figuratively, a role or responsibility assumed

tapestry

(n.) A woven decorative fabric;

metaphorically, a complex interwoven combination of elements

sepulcher

(n.) A tomb or burial chamber, especially one

made of stone

pedestal

(n.) A base supporting a statue; figuratively, a

position of high admiration or esteem

detritus

(n.) Debris or scattered remains, often of something destroyed or discarded

armament

(n.) Military weapons and equipment used in

warfare

marginal

(adj.) Of minor importance; slight or barely

sufficient

definitive

(adj.) Conclusive and authoritative; providing a final answer

capitulation

(n.) The act of surrendering or yielding after resistance

albeit

(Conjunction) Although; even though

antagonize

(v.) To provoke or incite hostility or

opposition

elusive

(adj.) Difficult to find, grasp, or understand

annotate

(v.) To add explanatory notes or comments

to a text

penchant

(n.) A strong inclination or preference for

something

retinue

(n.) A group of followers or attendants an important person

reprobate

(n./adj.) A morally unprincipled or depraved persom

sybarite

(n.) A person devoted to luxury, pleasure, and

ndulgence

quell

(v.) To suppress or put an end to something,

especially unrest or rebellion

frappé

(n.) A chilled or iced beverage, often made with coffee, milk, or fruit flavorings

chancre

(n.) A painless ulcer or sore, typically associated with the early stage of certain infections such as syphilis

gauge

(n./vb.) An instrument used for measuring or estimating the amount or level of something

prerequisite

(n.) A requirement that must be completed before something else can be undertaken

capstone

(n.) A final project or course that demonstrates mastery of a field of study

accreditation

(n.) Official recognition that an institution meets educational standards

paradigm

(n.) A model or pattern that serves as an example or framework

genome

(n.) The complete set of genetic material in an organism

algorithm

(n.) A systematic procedure or set of rules for solving problems

parameter

(n.) A measurable factor or variable that defines a system

criterion

(n.) A standard used for evaluating or judging something

extrapolate

(vb.) To estimate unknown values by extending known data

polymath

(n.) A person with extensive knowledge across multiple fields

revere

(vb.) To regard someone or something with deep respect or admiration

vindication

(n.) The act of proving someone right or clearing them of blame

ameliorate

(vb.) To improve or make a situation better

anachronism

(n.) Something that is out of its proper time period

erratic

(adj.) Unpredictable or inconsistent

garner

(vb.) To gather or collect information, support, or resources

accrue

(vb.) To accumulate gradually over time

anathema

(n.) Something or someone that is strongly disliked or condemned

chimerical

(adj.) Unrealistic or wildly imaginative; not achievable in reality

conflagration

(n.) A large and destructive fire

diaphanous

(adj.) Light, delicate, and almost transparent

excoriate

(v.) To criticize severely or harshly

perspicacious

(adj.) Having keen insight or sharp understanding

ameliorate

(v.) To improve or make a situation better

fortitude

(n.) Courage and strength in facing difficulties

mandate

(n./vb.) An official order or command; to authorize or require

sampling

(n.) The process of selecting a representative group for study

inadvertent

(adj.) Unintentional or accidental

erudition

(n.) Extensive scholarly knowledge

detrimental

(adj.) Causing harm or damage

affinity

(n.) A natural liking or connection with something

distill

(vb.) To extract the essential meaning or most important aspects

contend

(vb.) To argue or assert a position

transience

(n.) The state of lasting only a short time

diverge

(vb.) To move or develop in different directions

arbitrary

(adj.) Based on personal choice rather than logic or reason

custodian

(n.) A person responsible for protecting or maintaining something

Zero in on

(Verb Phrase) To focus closely on something or someone

Learn the ropes

(Verb Phrase) To learn how to do a job or task properly

Behind closed doors

(Adverbial phrase) In private; not in public view

Ride the wave

(Verb Phrase) To take advantage of a trend or success

Economic bubble

(Noun phrase) A situation where prices rise rapidly and exceed real value

Zero in on

(Verb Phrase) To focus closely on something or someone

Go against the grain

(Verb Phrase) To act contrary to what is normal or expected

A moot point

(Noun phrase) Something that is no longer relevant or open to discussion

A far cry from

(Phrase) Very different from something

Pull your weight

(Verb Phrase) To do your fair share of work

Cut corners

(Verb Phrase) To do something poorly or cheaply to save time or money

Social butterfly

(Noun) A person who is very sociable and enjoys attending events

A bitter pill to swallow

(Noun phrase) An unpleasant truth to accept

Get to the heart of the matter

(Verb Phrase) To focus on the main issue

Spell it out

(Verb Phrase) To explain something very clearly

Put into perspective

(Verb Phrase) To show the relative importance

Bring to the table

(Verb Phrase) To contribute ideas, skills, or value

In the loop

(Phrase) Informed or included in discussions

Call it a day

(Verb Phrase) To conclude proceedings

Walk someone through

(Verb Phrase) To guide someone step-by-step through a process