Sadlier Level G- Vocab Unit 2

Accost

V. To approach and speak to first; to confront in a challenging or aggressive way

Approach, address, confront

Animadversion

N. A comment indicating strong criticism or disapproval

Avid

Adj. desirous of something to the point of greed; intensely eager

Brackish

Adj. having a salty taste and unpleasant to drink

Saline

Celerity

N. Swiftness, rapidity of motion or action

Promptness, speed

Devious

Adj. straying or wandering from a straight or direct course; done or acting in a shifty or underhanded way

Indirect

Gambit

N. In chess, an opening move that involves risk or sacrifice of a minor piece in order to gain a later advantage; any opening move of this type

Maneuver, strategic move

Halcyon

N. A legendary bird identified with the kingfisher

Adj. of or relating to the halcyon; calm; peaceful; happy; golden; prosperous; affluent

Tranquil, serene

Histrionic

Adj. pertaining to actors and their techniques; theatrical, artificial; melodramatic

Execrated, overacted

Incendiary

Adj. deliberately setting or causing fires; designed to start fires; tending to stir up strife or rebellion

N. One who deliberately sets fires, arsonist; one who causes strife

Maelstrom

N. A whirlpool of great size and violence; a situation resembling a whirlpool in violence and destruction

Chaos, turbulence, tumult

Myopic

Adj. nearsighted; lacking a broad, realistic view of a situation; lacking foresight or discernment

Shortsighted, narrow-minded, close-minded

Overt

Adj. open, not hidden, expressed or revealed in a way that is easily recognized

Clear, obvious, manifest

Pejorative

Adj. tending to make worse; expressing disapproval or disparagement, derogatory, deprecatory, belittling

Insulting, rudeness

Propriety

N. The state of being proper, appropriateness

Pl. standards or what is proper or socially acceptable

Fitness, correctness

Sacrilege

N. Improper or disrespectful treatment of something held sacred

Profanation

Summarily

Adv. without delay or formality; briefly, concisely

Promptly

Suppliant

Adj. asking humbly and earnestly

N. One who makes a request humbly and earnestly, a petitioner, suitor

Beggar, pleader

Talisman

N. An object that serves as a charm or is believed to confer magical powers, an amulet, fetish

Lucky charm, token

Undulate

V. To move in waves or with a wavelike motion; to have a wavelike appearance or form

Sway