Honors English II Vocab Unit 5

definitions

acuity

(n.) sharpness (particularly of the mind or senses)

delineate

(v.) to portray, sketch, or describe in accurate and vivid detail; to represent pictorially

depraved

(adj.) marked by evil and corruption. devoid of moral principles

enervate

(v.) to weaken or lessen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of; enfeeble, hamstring

esoteric

(adj.) intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret

fecund

(adj.) fruitful in offspring or vegetation; intellectually productive

fiat

(n.) an arbitrary order or decree; a command or act of will or conciousness

figment

(n.) a fabrication of the mind; an arbitrary notion

garner

(v.) to acquire as the result of effort; to gather and store away, as future use

hallow

(v.) to set apart as holy or sacred, sanctify, consecrate; to honor greatly, revere

idiosyncrasy

(n.) a pecularity that serves to distinguish or identify

ignominy

(n.) shame and disgrace

mundane

(adj.) earthly, worldly, relating to practical and material affairs; concerned with what is ordinary

nuance

(n.) a subtle or slight variation (as in color, meaning, quality), delicate gradation or shade of difference

overweening

(adj.) concieted, presumptuous; excessive, immoderate

penchant

(n.) a strong attraction or inclination

reputed

(adj.) according to reputation or general belief; having widespread acceptance and good reputation; (part.) alleged

sophistry

(n.) reasoning that seems plausible but is actually unsound; a fallacy

sumptuous

(adj.) costly, rich, magnificent

ubiquitous

(adj.) present or existing everywhere