Unit 4 Vocabulary

atrophy

(n) wasting away of a body organ or tissue
(v) to waste away
deteriorate

bastion

(n) a fortified place, stronghold

concord

(n) in a state of agreement, harmony; a treaty

consummate

(adj) to complete or perfect in the highest degree
(v) to bring to a state of completion or perfection
masterful, conclude

disarray

(n) disorder, confusion
(v) to throw into disorder

exigency

(n. often pl) urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need; an emergency

requirement, crisis

flotsam

(n) floating debris; homeless

frenetic

(adj) frenzied; highly agitated
frantic

glean

(v) to gather bit by bit; gather small quantities of grain left in a field by the reapers

grouse

(n) a type of game bird; a complaint
(v) to complain, grumble

incarcerate

(v) to imprison

incumbent

(adj) obligatory; required

(n) one who holds a specific office at time spoken

jocular

(adj) humorous, jolly

ludicrous

(adj) ridiculous, absurd

mordant

(adj) biting or caustic in thought, manner, or style; sharply or bitterly harsh

nettle

(n) a prickly or stinging plant
(v) to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger; to irritate severely

pecuniary

(adj) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money

pusillanimous

(adj) contemptibly coward or mean-spirited

recumbent

(ad) in a reclining position, lying down

stratagem

(n) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end