vocab notebook

pragmatic

of or relating to a practical point of view or consideration

condescending

showing or implying a patronizing descent from dignity or superiority

delineates

to portray in words; describe or outline with precision

cynical

bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic

sagacious

having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense

raffia

a fiber obtained from the leaves of a raffia palm

commemoration

a memorial

blithely

without much thought, concern, or care

epistle

a letter, especially a formal or didactic one

volition

the act of willing, choosing, or resolving

sibyl

a female prophet or witch

frivolity

characterized by a lack of seriousness or sense

eloquently

movingly expressive

travesty

a grotesque or debased likeness or imitation

beacon

a guiding or warning signal

vigor

active strength or force

absolve

to free from guilt or blame or their consequences

canter

an easy gallop

liturgical

of or relating to a formal public worship or liturgies

rectory

a rector’s house, parsonage

incriminate

to accuse of or present proof of a crime or fault

tyranny

harsh rule over a nation or people

appeasement

giving in to demands in order to keep peace

treachery

act of betrayal

asunder

divided, torn to separate pieces

invective

negative, aggressive language that seeks to harm

belaboring

focusing on something too much

consecrate

to make or declared sacred

hallow

to make holy

detract

to take away a part

vindictive

disposed or inclined to revenge

foreboding

to have a strong feeling or notion of

introspection

the tendency or disposition to do this

piquant

agreeably pungent or sharp in taste

trite

lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition

assuaged

made milder or less severe; eased

seldom

only a few occasions; rarely

dictum

an authoritative pronouncement

impotent

utterly unable to do something

unsullied

not soiled; untarnished

taciturn

dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner

quaint

having an old-fashioned attractiveness or charm

vapid

without liveliness or spirit

malevolent

wishing evil or harm to another or others

illicitly

in a way that is disapproved of or not permitted for moral or ethical reasons

entailment

something involved as a necessary part or consequence of something

sojourn

a temporary stay

expounding

a detailed explanation, discursion, or interpretation

iniquity

gross injustice or wickedness

diminutive

small; little; tiny

entrenched

firmly or solidly established

clamor

loud and confusing noise

appalling

causing shock, disgust, or alarm

extenuating

serving to make fault, offense, etc., appear less serious

venturesome

having or showing a disposition to undertake risky or dangerous activities

deplore

to disapprove of

circumlocution

a roundabout or indirect way of speaking

narcotic

anything that exercises a soothing or numbing effect or influence

veneer

a superficially valuable or pleasing appearance

jumble

a mixed or disordered heap or mass