Honors English I Vocabulary List for Spring Semester

Affected

1. Influenced by an external factor 2. Pretended, artificial, designed to impress

Ascribe

To attribute something to a cause

Assimilate

1. To take in and understand fully; to absorb 2. To integrate into a society or culture

Augment

To make something greater by adding to it; to increase

Cosmopolitan

1. Including or containing people from many different countries 2. Familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures

Orthodox

Conforming to what is traditionally accepted as right and true

Ostracize

To exclude someone from a group

Requisite

Made necessary by certain circumstances or rules

Rudiments

The first or most basic principles of a subject

Sever

1. To divide by cutting to slicing 2. To end or break off a relationship or connection

Sinuous

Having many curves or turns

Somber

1. Dark or dull in color or tone 2. Solemn or sober in mood

Subsequent

Coming after something

Supercilious

Acting superior to others

Vernacular

Terminology used by people belonging to a specified group

Altruism

the belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others

Ameliorate

make something bad, or unsatisfactory, better

Anomalous

Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected

Antipathy

a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion

Archaic

very old or old fashioned

Behoove

it is a duty or responsibility for someone to do something; it is incumbent on

Benignant

kindly and benevolent

Cajole

persuade to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery

Impetus

the force or energy with which a body moves

Facetious

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor

Irrevocable

not able to be changed, reversed, or recovered

Propensity

an inclined or natural tendency to behave in a particular way

Vilify

speak or write about something in an abusively, disparaging manner

Volatile

liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse

Vigilant

keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties

Adroit

clever or skilful in using the hands or mind

Deride

express contempt for, ridicule

Dingy

something that is dirty and shabby

Flail

to wave or swing wildly OR to struggle uselessly

Gargantuan

tremendous in size, volume, or degree

Guile

sly or crafty intelligence; smart but sometimes dishonest behavior that you use to deceive someone for your own gain

Hovel

a small home that is dirty and in bad condition

Implicit

suggested but not communicated directly

Incipient

just beginning

Indite

to craft something, such as writing a sonnet or composing a musical score

Infringe

to act in a way that is against a law or that limits someone's rights or freedom

Masochistic

enjoying an activity that most people would find very unpleasant

Precocious

showing mental development or achievement much earlier than usual

Obstinacy

being unreasonably determined to not change at all, despite what anyone else says

Juncture

a particular point in time

Adversary

One's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute

Commendable

Deserving praise

Discord

1. Disagreement between people 2. Lack of harmony between notes in music

Flaunt

Display (something) ostentatiously, especially in order to provoke envy or admiration or to show defiance

Guise

An external form, appearance, or manner of presentation, typically concealing the true nature of something

Lugubrious

Looking or sounding sad and dismal

Mercurial

Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind

Mitigate

Make less severe, serious, or painful

Myriad

A countless or extremely great number

Nascent

Just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential (especially of a process or organization)

Nepotism

The practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs

Portentous

Ominously significant or indicative

Propitious

Giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable

Pungent

Having a sharply strong taste or smell

Resilient

Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions

Brazen

Bold and without shame

Commiserated

Express the feeling of sympathy or pity

Discomfit

Make one feel uneasy or embarrassed

Eradicate

Destroy completely; put an end to

Floundered

Struggle or stagger helplessly or clumsily in water or mud

Iniquity

Immoral or grossly unfair behavior

Ostensible

Stated or appearing to be true

Poignant

Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret

Recalcitrant

Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline

Reconnoiter

Make a military observation

Requite

Make appropriate return for (a favor, service, or wrongdoing)

Sanguine

optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation

Serpentine

of or like a serpent or snake; winding and twisting like a snake; complex, cunning, or treacherous

Subterfuge

deceit used in order to achieve one's goals

Supplicate

ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly

buffet/buffeted

Strike repeatedly and violently (especially of wind or waves); batter, knock (someone) off course.

commodious

roomy and comfortable (especially of furniture or a building), ample or adequate for a particular purpose.

consonant

in agreement; agreeable; in accord; consistent; making a harmonious interval or chord.

discreet

careful in one's conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy.

eccentricity

an oddity or peculiarity; unusual. Deviating from the recognized or customary practice.

erroneous

containing error; mistaken; incorrect; wrong. Straying away from what is moral, decent, proper.

extrinsic

not essential or inherent; not a basic part or quality; extraneous. Coming or operating from the outside.

foible

a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect.

fulsome

complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree; of large size or quantity; abundant.

perceptible

capable of being perceived; seen; recognizable.

recompense

to repay or reward, as for service; aid. To pay or give compensation for; make restitution or amends.

sundry

of various kinds; several.

tenacity

the quality of being determined. The ability to grip (hold) something firmly.

validate

to confirm, make valid, declare legal; recognize; affirm

wan

of an unnatural or sickly pallor; pallid; lacking color; lacking vitality; lacking forcefulness, competence or effectiveness.

affront

a remark or action intended to offend somebody

capricious

changing mood or behavior suddenly or unexpectedly

castigate

to criticize someone or something severely

collusion

agreement between people to act together secretly or illegally in order to deceive or cheat someone

congenital

a disease or condition that exists at or from birth

cryptic

mysterious and difficult to understand

deference

respect and politeness; respect shown for another person especially because of age, experience, or power

discrepancy

a difference between two things that should be the same

dulcet

sweet, soothing, pleasant to listen to

effrontery

extreme rudeness without understanding that your behavior is not acceptable to other people