Sadlier Oxford Unit 10 Level G

DEFINITIONS

askance (adv.)

With suspicion, distrust, or disapproval

attentuate (v.)

To make thin or slender; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity, or value

benign (adj.)

gentle, kind, forgiving, understanding, having a favorable or beneficial effect; not malignant

cavil (v. + n.)

Verb - to find fault in a petty way, carp

Noun - a trivial objection or criticism

charlatan (n.)

One who feigns knowledge or ability; a pretender, impostor, or quack

decimate (v.)

To kill or destroy a large part of

foible (n.)

A weak point, failing, minor flaw

forgo (v.)

To do without, abstain from, give up

fraught (adj.)

Full or loaded with; accompanied by

inure (v.)

To toughen or harden; to render used to something by long subjection or exposure

luminous (adj.)

Emitting or reflecting light, glowing; illuminating

obsequious (adj.)

Marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive, often for purely self-interested reasons

obtuse (adj.)

Blunt, not coming to a point, slow or dull in understanding, not causing a sharp impression

oscillate (v.)

To swing back and forth with a steady rhythm; to fluctuate or waver

penitent (adj. + n.)

Adjective - regretful for one’s sins or mistakes

Noun - one who is sorry for wrongdoing

peremptory (adj.)

Having the nature of a command that leaves no opportunity for debate, denial, or refusal; offensively self-assured, dictatorial; determined, resolute

rebuff (v. + n.)

Verb - to snub, to repel, drive away

Noun - a curt rejection, a check

reconnoiter (v.)

To engage in reconnaissance; to make a preliminary inspection

shambles (n.)

A slaughterhouse; a place of mass bloodshed; a state of complete disorder and confusion, mess

sporadic (adj.)

Occurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order