Vocabulary 2nd Quarterly

altruistic

(adj.) showing selfless concern for the well - being of others

acrimonious

(adj.) angry and bitter in tone or behavior

eclectic

(adj.) deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources

grandiloquent

(adj.) using lofty, pompous, or extravagant language

maladroit

(adj.) clumsy or awkward, especially in social situations

pedantic

(adj.) excessively concerned in minor details or rules; overly academic

stolid

(adj.) showing little emotion or sensitivity; unemotional

munificent

(adj.) extremely generous; giving freely

mellifluous

(adj.) sweet or musical; pleasant to hear

dogmatic

(adj.) extremely opinionated; asserting opinions as incontrovertibly true

apocryphal

(adj.) of doubtful authenticity; widely circulated as true but is likely false

inscrutable

(adj.) impossible to understand or interpret

intransigent

(adj.) unwilling to change one's views or agree; stubborn

circumspect

(adj.) cautious; aware of potential consequences

pulchritude

(n.) physical beauty

pernicious

(adj.) causing harm or ruin, especially in a gradual or subtle way

conflagration

(n.) a large, destructive fire

recondite

(adj.) little known; obscure and difficult to understand

juxtapose

(v.) to place side by side to compare and contrast

egregious

(adj.) outstandingly bad; shocking

annulations

(n.) ring-like markings

flutterings

(n.) light, rapid movements or sensations

resuscitate

(v.) to revive someone from unconsciousness or stopped breathing

stupendous

(adj.) extremely impressive or amazing

conglomerate

(n. a large company made up of several smaller companies

pomposity

(n.) speaking an overly fancy, showy and arrogant way to impress others

grandiose

(adj.) very large, grand, or showy (not small of modest)

premier

(adj.) the best, most important, highest ranking

compulsion

(n.) a strong urge that someone can't stop

contortions

(n.) unusual or twisted body movements

erratically

(adv.) moving unpredictably or unevenly

frolicsome

(adj.) playful, energetic, happy

assiduously

(adv.) working very hard and carefully to perfect something

ethereal

(adj.) having a soft delicate, almost heavenly appearance; unreal

precariously

(adv.) positioned in a way that could easily fall or tip over

delirium

(n.) a confused, unclear mental state

undermining

(v.) damaging or weakening someone's reputation

deluge

(n.) a large amount arriving all at once

furtively

(adv.) acting secretly or sneakily to avoid being seen

hapless

(adj.) unlucky, always experiencing misfortunes

resuscitation

The act of reviving someone from unconsciousness or apparent death

compromise

An agreement or settlement of a dispute reached by mutual concession

dormancy

A state of inactivity or rest

macerate

To soften or break down by soaking in liquid

ironclad

Impossible to dispute or question; very strong or unbreakable.

cloture

A procedure to end a debate and bring a matter to a vote.

improbity

Dishonesty or lack of integrity

abeyance

A temporary suspension or inactivity

gossamer

Extremely light, delicate, or thin

exigency

An urgent need or demand

propitiate

To appease or gain the favor of someone

gambit

A calculated move or strategy, often at some risk

fallible

Capable of making mistakes or being wrong

malevolent

Having or showing a wish to do evil to others

renege

To go back on a promise, agreement, or commitment

quibble

To argue or raise objections about a trivial matter

asperity

Harshness or severity in tone, manner, or surface

subliminal

Below the threshold of conscious perception; influencing without awareness

commensurate

Corresponding in size, degree, or proportion

miniatory

Threatening or menacing

transgression

A violation of a law, command, or duty

supplication

The act of asking humbly or earnestly; a prayer or request

skulk

To move stealthily or lie in hiding, often with sinister intent

luscious

Very pleasing to the taste or smell; richly appealing

plunder

To steal goods, typically by force; loot

dominion

Control or the exercise of control; sovereignty

nestlings

Young birds still in the nest

banishment

The act of expelling someone from a place or community

debased

Reduced in quality, value, or dignity

dire

Extremely serious or urgent; dreadful

bewail

To express deep sorrow for; lament

renaissance

A revival of art, culture, or knowledge

perplex

To confuse or puzzle someone

haranguing

Giving a lengthy, aggressive speech

affray

A public fight or brawl

belligerent

Aggressively hostile or combative

monsieur

French term for "Mister" or a gentleman

crockery

Plates, dishes, and other similar items made from baked clay

heedless

Showing a reckless lack of attention or care

infamy

An evil or wicked act

reprehensible

(adj.) deserving condemnation or blame

rancor

(n.) bitter resentment or ill will

reticent

(adj.) reserved; not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily

sagacious

(adj.) wise or shrewd; showing good judgement

nemesis

(n.) a long-standing rival; and unbeatable opponent

inscrutable

(adj.) impossible to understand or interpret

Hedonist

(n.) a person who pursues pleasure as the highest good

substantiate

(v.) to provide evidence to support a claim or argument

superfluous

(adj.) unnecessary; more than enough

surreptitious

(adj.) kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of

erudite

(adj.) having or showing great knowledge or learning

transient

(adj.) lasting only a short time; temporary

trepidation

(n.) a feeling of fear or anxiety about some

reprehensible

(adj.) deserving condemnation or blame

equanimity

(n.) mental calmness and composure, especially under stress

construe

(v.) to interpret or understand the meaning of something

sagacious

(adj.) wise or shrewd; showing good judgement

scrupulous

(adj.) extremely careful and precise; morally upright

servile

(adj.) excessively willing to serve of please others

spurious

(adj.) not genuine or authentic; false or fake