Vocabulary Level H-Unit 3

ancillary

(adj.) subordinate or supplementary

bowdlerize

v. to censor, esp. prudishly (to remove material considered offensive)

condescend

(v.) to come down or stoop voluntarily to a lower level; to deal with people in a patronizing manner

cozen

(v) to trick; to cheat or swindle

enclave

(n.) an enclosed district, region, or area inhabited by a particular group of people or having a special character

forte

n. a person's strong point; what a person does best excels

gratis

adj. free of charge; adv. without charge

icon

n. a representation or image of a sacred personage, often considered sacred itself; an image or picture; a symbol; a graphic symbol on a computer monitor display; an object of blind devotion

interstice

(n.) a small, narrow space between things or parts of things

macrocosm

(n.) the universe considered as a whole; the entire complex structure of something

mountebank

(n.) a trickster or swindler; a charlatan

paean

n. a song of joy, triumph, or praise

persiflage

(n.) lighthearted joking, talk, or writing

plethora

(n.) overfullness; an abundance, excess

pragmatic

(adj) practical; dealing with actual facts and reality

quizzical

(adj.) puzzled; mocking; odd; equivocal

rapacity

(n.) inordinate greed; the disposition to obtain one's desires by force, extortion, or plunder

schism

(n.) a formal split within a religious organization; any division or separation of a group or organization into hostile factions

therapeutic

(adj.) having the power to heal or cure; beneficial

virtuoso

(n.) a brilliant performer; a person with masterly skill or technique; (adj.) masterly or brilliant