Frederick Douglass Vocabulary Words

Definitions from Oxford Languages Dictionary

supercilious

(adj.) behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others

profligate

(adj.) recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources

obdurate

(adj.) stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action

execrate

(v.) feel or express great loathing for

reproving

(adj.) conveying or expressing blame or disapproval

exculpate

(v.) show or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing

immutable

(adj.) unchanging over time or unable to be changed

scathing

(adj.) witheringly scornful; severely critical

palpable

(adj.) (of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible

(adj.) able to be touched or felt

expedient

(adj.) (of an action) convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral

pernicious

(adj.) having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

impertinent

(adj.) not showing proper respect; rude

(adj.) not pertinent to a particular matter; irrelevant

sagacity

(n.) the quality of having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd

censure

(v.) express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement

(n.) the expression of formal disapproval

privation

(n.) a state in which things that are essential for human well-being such as food and warmth are scarce or lacking

ineffable

(adj.) too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words

affectation

(n.) behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress

staid

(adj.) sedate, respectable, and unadventurous

servile

(adj.) having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others

vindicate

(v.) clear (someone) of blame or suspicion