Vocabulary Workshop - Level E Chapters 1 - 2

adulterate

(v.) to corrupt, make worse by the addition of something of lesser value

ambidextrous

(adj.) able to use both hands equally well; very skillful; deceitful; hypocritical

augment

(v.) to make larger, increase

bereft

(adj., part.) deprived of; made unhappy through a loss

deploy

(v.) to position or arrange; to utilize; to form up

dour

(adj.) stern, unyielding, gloomy, ill-humored

fortitude

(n.) courage in facing difficulties

gape

(v.) to stare with open mouth; to open the mouth wide; to open wide

gibe

(v.) to utter taunting words; (n.) an expression of scorn

guise

(n.) an external appearance, cover, mask

insidious

(adj.) intended to deceive or entrap; sly; treacherous

intimation

(n.) a hint, indirect suggestion

opulent

(adj.) wealthy, luxurious; ample; grandiose

pliable

(adj.) easily bent, flexible; easily influenced

reiterate

(v.) to say again, repeat

stolid

(adj.) not easily moved mentally or emotionally; dull, unresponsive

tentative

(adj.) experimental in nature; uncertain, hesitant

unkempt

(adj.) not combed; untidy; not properly maintained; unpolished, rude

verbatim

(adj., adv.) word for word; exactly as written or spoken

warily

(adv.) cautiously, with great care

adroit

(adj.) skillful, expert in the use of the hands or mind

amicable

(adj.) peaceable, friendly

averse

(adj.) having a deep-seated distaste; opposed, unwilling

belligerent

adj. given to fighting, warlike; combative, aggressive; n. one at war, one engaged in war

benevolent

adj. kindly, charitable

cursory

adj. hasty, not thorough

duplicity

n. treachery, deceitfulness

extol

v. to praise extravagantly

feasible

adj. possible, able to be done

grimace

n. a wry face, facial distortion; v. to make a wry face

holocaust

n. a large-scale destruction, especially by fire; a vast slaughter; a burnt offering

impervious

adj. not affected or hurt by; admitting of no passage or entrance

impetus

n. a moving force, impulse, stimulus

jeopardy

n. danger

meticulous

adj. extremely careful; particular about details

nostalgia

n. a longing for something past; homesickness

quintessence

n. the purest essence or form of something; the most typical example

retrogress

v. to move backward; to return to an earlier condition

scrutinize

v. to examine closely

tepid

adj. lukewarm; unenthusiastic