vocab unit 7

acme

the highest point

attribute

a quality or characteristic belonging to or associated with someone or something; to assign to, credit with; to regard as caused by or resulting from

belittle

to make something appear smaller than it is; to refer to in a way that suggests lack of importance or value

convey

to transport; to transmit; to communicate, make known; to transfer ownership or title to

doctrine

a belief, principle, or teaching; a system of such beliefs or principles; a formulation of such beliefs or principles

excise

to remove by cutting; an indirect tax on the manufacture, sale, or distribution of a commodity or service

exotic

foreign; charmingly unfamiliar or strikingly unusual

haggard

thin, pale, and careworn as a result of worry or suffering; wild-looking

jaunty

lively, easy, and carefree in manner; smart or trim in appearance

juncture

a joining together; the point at which two things are joined; any important point in time

menial

lowly, humble, lacking importance or dignity; a person who does the humble and unpleasant tasks

parry

to ward off, fend off, deflect, evade, avoid; a defensive movement in fencing and other sports

predatory

preying on, plundering, or piratical

ravage

to destroy, lay waste, ruin; ruinous damage, destruction

stance

a way of holding the body; an attitude or position on an issue

tawdry

showy and flashy but lacking in good taste

turncoat

a person who switches to an opposing side or party

unassuming

not putting on airs, unpretentious; modest

wallow

to roll about in a lazy, clumsy, or helpless way; to overindulge in; to have in abundance; a wet, muddy, or dusty area used by animals as a sort of bath; a state of moral or physical collapse

waver

to move to and fro, become unsteady; to show lack of firmness or decision