English Semester 2 Vocab

Belligerent

Hostile and aggressive.

Castigate

To subject to severe punishment.

Contingency

An event (such as an emergency) that may but is not certain to occur.

Defunct

No longer living, existing, or functioning.

Didactic

Intended to teach; having the purpose of imparting a lesson.

Evanescent

Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing.

Gaffe

A noticeable mistake.

Gratuitous

Excessive; uncalled for by the circumstances; not necessary, appropriate, or justified.

Hamper

To interfere with; to impede the natural activity of; to slow another in some way.

Inure

To accustom to accept something undesirable.

Jeopardize

To put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure.

Loathe

Feel intense dislike or disgust for.

Modicum

A small amount of something.

Nadir

The lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization.

Ostracize

To exclude (someone) from a society or group.

Preclude

To rule out in advance for a specific reason; to make impossible by necessary consequence.

Quintessential

Perfectly typical or representative of a particular kind of person or thing.

Respite

A short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

Satiate

To satisfy (a desire or an appetite) to the full.

Temerity

Unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger or opposition.