Elite Vocabulary 401-450

condescend

to lower oneself to a less formal or less dignified level

enigma

something that is puzzling, ambiguous, mysterious, or inexplicable; a perplexing puzzle

plight

sad situation

impasse

dead end

ostensible

outwardly appearing as such

sluggish

lazy; lacking energy

bland

having a moderate, undisturbed quality

hovel

a small, miserable dwelling

compel

to cause to occur by pressure; to force

artisan

a worker trained or skilled in some manual trade

impeccable

flawless

surmount

to overcome (e.g., an obstacle); to climb to . the top of

pastoral

relating to country life, esp. of shepherds; rustic

superfluous

unnecessary; extra

avert

to turn away

mandate

a command; an order

proscribe

to prohibit or forbid; to denounce

consanguinity

blood relationship

prone

tending or likely to do something; lying face down

credible

capable of being believed

complicity

involvement as an accomplice in a crime or wrongdoing

kudos

glory; fame

fruitless

without results; unprofitable

paucity

smallness in number; scarcity

sycophant

one who seeks favor by flattering people of wealth or influence

tractable

easily managed or controlled

holistic

dealing with something as a whole rather than by its individual parts

verdant

green

promulgate

to make known by official announcement

skeptical

tending to question or doubt

forte

something in which a person excels

harbinger

someone or something that indicates what is to come

annul

to make void or invalid

adversity

misfortune; trouble

castigate

to criticize severely, esp. in a public

oratory

public speaking, esp. marked by pompous rhetoric

conduit

a channel for conducting fluids; a means by which something is transmitted

bolster

to support or strengthen

wont

accustomed

recur

to repeat; to occur again

brook

to tolerate

consecrate

to make or set apart as sacred

espouse

to give loyalty or support to; to adopt

dispose

to give a tendency or inclination to

modicum

a small amount

composed

calm and self-possessed

edifice

a building; architectural monument

reserved

self-restrained and withdrawn in speech and manner

translucent

letting light through, but no visual details

endeavor

a serious attempt or effort