Unit 1 Vocab: Short Story Study

palpable (adj)

easily noticed or perceptible

tangible (adj)

capable of being touched; real, concrete

indolently (adv)

lazily

vigor (n)

strength, energy, enthusiasm

lacerate (v)

cut or tear irregularly

affable (adj)

friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to

ardent (adj)

passionate, enthusiastic

condone (v)

accept and allow

imperative (adj)

very important or essential, especially for the success of something

florid (adj)

showy or excessively ornate

genial (adj)

warm, friendly, cheerful

emanate (v)

to spread out from a source

retribution (n)

a repayment; a deserved punishment

ardor (n)

intense and passionate feeling

fervid (adj)

intensely enthusiastic

careen (v)

move swiftly and in an uncontrolled way

imminent (adj)

about to happen

infallible (adj)

free from error; absolutely dependable

blight (n)

anything that destroys, prevents growth, or causes devaluation

contrarily (adj)

in a manner opposite to what is expected.

reiterate (v)

to say again, repeat

precarious (adj)

dependent on chance circumstances, unknown conditions, or uncertain developments

evanesce (v)

to disappear, vanish

frivolous (adj)

not serious in attitude or behavior

compulsory (adj)

required; mandatory

caprice (n)

a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior

procure (v)

to gain possession of

emaciated (adj)

abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.

ethereal (adj)

relating to the heavens; other-worldly

mirage (n)

an illusion; hallucination

contempt (n)

the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.

impunity (n)

freedom from punishment

accost (v)

to approach and speak to first; to confront in a challenging or aggressive way

abscond (v)

to leave secretly

grotesque (adj)

absurd; distorted; repulsively ugly

languid (adj)

moving/speaking with little energy

disconcert (adj)

making someone feel uncomfortable or worried

ominous (adj)

unfavorable, threatening, of bad omen

epigraph (n)

a quotation at the beginning of a literary work suggestive of the theme.

recoil (v)

(v.) to spring back, shrink