YA Unit One Vocab

Clandestine

Marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy: superstitious

Adjective

The clandestine meetings were held every two months in what seemed to be a dreary basement. 

Wicked

Morally very bad: evil 

Adjective
They had all been perceived as wicked and corrupt. 

Subliminal

 Existing or functioning below the threshold of consciousness

Adjective

She seemed to be from beyond this world, with a subliminal understanding that he himself couldn’t quite follow.

Inordinate

Exceeding reasonable limits: immoderate

Adjective

Their drinking was beginning to become inordinate and unrestrained.

Dilapidated

deteriorated or marked by decay due to neglect

Adjective

The gardens were no better than the palace walls, dilapidated and overgrown with weeds

Malaise

A feeling of lack of health often accompanying the onset of an illness

Noun

The malaise that had fallen upon her forced her to stay and rot in her bed

Degrade

 to lower in grade, rank, or status: demote

Verb

The general had been degraded for his lack of obedience and loyalty

Coddle

to treat with extreme or excessive care or kindness; pamper

Verb

He had been coddled and pampered for reasons that were beyond her imagination

Retract

Take back, withdraw

Verb

The sword was retracted from the king’s throat and tossed into the sand as if it were made of fire

Opine

to express opinions

Verb

They often opined to each other afterwards

Adverse

 acting against or in a contrary direction: hostile

Adjective

As frightening as it was, the animal’s adverse behavior seemed to stem from the crowd’s loud uproar in the stands.

Insipid

 lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate, or challenge: dull, flat

Adjective

She had found the novel to be quite insipid and shallow

Peevish

querulous in temperament or mood: Fretfull

Adjective

She had been in a peevish mood all day, and couldn’t quite understand why.

Umbrage

a feeling of resentment at an insult

Noun

The feeling of umbrage was nothing new to them.

Dulcet

pleasing to the ear

Adjective

Her voice was dulcet