Advanced Vocabulary: Words for Descriptive and Analytical Use

A collection of vocabulary terms from the lecture notes, focusing on descriptive and analytical words including proper transcript spelling and definitions.

Adulterate

To make something poorer in quality by adding another substance.

Abstain

To choose not to do something.

Anomaly

Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

Apathy

Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

Assuage

To make an unpleasant feeling less intense.

Audacious

Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

Capricious

Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.

Corroborate

To confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding.

Desiccate

To remove the moisture from something, typically to preserve it.

Engender

To cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition.

Enigma

A person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand.

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time.

Erudite

Having or showing great knowledge or learning.

Fervid

Intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree.

Equivocal

Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.

Homogeneous

Of the same kind; alike.

Laconic

Using very few words; concise.

Gullible

Easily persuaded to believe something; credulous.

Loquacious

Tending to talk a great deal; talkative.

Lucid

Expressed clearly; easy to understand.

Laudable

Deserving praise and commendation.

Pedant

A person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules.

Mitigate

To make less severe, serious, or painful.

Opaque

Not able to be seen through; not transparent.

Pragmatic

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.

Precipitate

To cause (an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.

Placate

To make (someone) less angry or hostile.

Propriety

Conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.

Vacillate

To alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.

tepid

lukewarm, unenthusiastic

prodigious

remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree

emaciated

unnaturally thin

hilarity

humorousness

taciturnity

reluctance to speak

flippant

(adj.) lacking in seriousness; disrespectful, saucy

aplomb

self-confidence

derision

harsh criticism

furtively

secretly

felicitous

happy or delightful

poingnant

causing strong feelings

stentorian

very loud

vociferous

loud and noisy

expository

explanatory

garrulous

Wordy

Apprehension

anxiety or fear

trepidation

fear

Dispassion

lack of concern

imperturbation

calmness

Extant

still existing

Recursive

returning to the same points repeatedly

Amorphus

Vague or unorganized

defunct

no longer existing or functioning

Estoteric

No longer in existence

scintillation

A sparkling or flashing; or a brilliant display of cleverness or artistry

Quittance

repayment

irascible

easily angered

Lambasted

verbally attacked

Languidly

Lazily

surreptitiously

secretly

affable

friendly

Capricious (alternative)

Erratic

eclectic

Wide range

Elemental

basic

Lamented

Mourned

Hedonism

pursuit of pleasure, especially of the senses

abstemious

self denying; refraining from indulging

intemperate

Excessive

Affable (alternative)

Sociable

Enervated

Weak

effacacious

effective

altruistic

unselfish, concerned with the welfare of others

Insular

isolated

perfunctory

done without care; in a routine fashion