english 11 ap - unit nine vocab

acclamation

acclamation

(n.) a shout of welcome; an overwhelming verbal vote of approval - ovation, cheering, plaudits

bucolic

(adj.) characteristic of the countryside, rural; relating to shepherds and cowherds, pastoral - rustic

calumniate

(v.) to slander; to accuse falsely and maliciously - defame, libel

chary

(adj.) extremely cautious, hesitant, or slow (to); (reserved diffident - skittish

collusion

(n.) secret agreement or cooperation - conspiracy, plot, connivance

dilettante

(n.) a dabbler in the arts; one who engages in an activity in an amateurish, trifling way; (adj.) superficial - amateur

imperturbable

(adj.) not easily excited; emotionally steady - unflappable, unexcitable, serene, unruffled

increment

(n.) an enlargement, increase, addition - accretion

mandate

(n.) an authoritative command, formal order, authorization; (v.) to issue such an order - (n.) directive

paltry

(adj.) trifling, insignificant; mean, despicable; inferior, trashy - measly, meager, piddling, trivial

paroxysm

(n.) a sudden outburst; a spasm, convulsion - fit, seizure

pedantry

(n.) a pretentious display of knowledge; overly rigid attention to rules and details - nit-picking, pettifoggery

peregrination

(n.) the act of traveling; an excursion, especially on foot or to a foreign country - journey, wandering, odyssey

redolent

(adj.) fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arouse memories or create an aura - evocative, reminiscent, aromatic

refulgent

(adj.) shining, radiant, resplendent - splendid

shibboleth

(n.) a word, expression, or custom that distinguishes a particular group of persons from all others; a commonplace saying or truism - password, slogan

tyro

(n.) a beginner, novice; one with little or no background or skill - neophyte

unremitting

(adj.) not stopping, maintained steadily, never letting up, relentless - incessant, unrelenting

vacillate

(v.) to swing decisively from one idea or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind or will - fluctuate, oscillate

vituperative

(adj.) harshly abusive, severely scolding - abusive, scurrilous, insulting