Vocabulary Workshop Level E Unit 15

abrasive

(adj.) causing irritation, harsh; grinding or wearing down; (n.) a substance used to smooth or polish

acclimate

(v.) to adapt a new climate, environment, or situation

chagrin

(n.) irritation or humiliation caused by disappointment or frustration; (v.) to cause such a feeling

complacent

(adj.) self-satisfied; overly content

concur

(v.) to express agreement, approve

defamation

(n.) slander or libel

explicate

(v.) to make plain or clear, explain; to interpret

fracas

(n.) noisy quarrel or brawl

grotesque

(adj.) unnatural, distorted; bizarre

pandemonium

(n.) a wild uproar, din, or commotion

raucous

(adj.) disagreeably harsh-sounding; disorderly

receptive

(adj.) open and responsive to ideas or suggestions

renounce

(v.) to give up or resign something

repress

(v.) to hold back; to put down or check by force

reticent

(adj.) not inclined to speak; reserved; reluctant

savory

(adj.) tasty, appetizing; pungent or salty, not sweet; inoffensive, respectable

somnolent

(adj.) sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleep

vehement

(adj.) intense, forceful, powerful

voluble

(adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent

zealous

(adj.) eager, earnest, devoted